THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The state Forest Department has suspended three officials in connection with reported incidents of elephant hunting at the Malayattoor forest division.
The three officials – Thundathil forest range officer P K Rajesh, Karimbani forest station deputy range forest officer K P Sunil Kumar and section forest officer C C Pathrose – were suspended after they were found to be responsible for the major lapses in the issue of elephant hunting at Malayattoor.
They were found guilty in a preliminary inquiry conducted by Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Vigilance) Surendrakumar. The suspension orders were issued by Head of Forest Force and Principal Chief Forest Conservator B S Corrie. A detailed probe is being conducted by a team led by Chief Wildlife Warden G Harikumar, who is camping at the spot.
As per reports, hunting of wild elephants was reported in the Athirappilly and Vazhachal forest regions. Four tuskers in the Thundam range of Malayattoor and one baby elephant in Idamalayar region were found to be hunted down.