Four arrested in forest officer’s electrocution death in Kothagudem

Police in Bhadradri Kothagudem district have arrested four men for the electrocution death of forest beat officer Banoth Naveen on August 11. Naveen was leading a team in the Krishnasagar Reserve Forest near Nakinipeta to stop poachers who had set up live electric wires to hunt wild animals. He came into contact with a concealed live wire around 9.30 pm and died. The accused were arrested on August 15 and remanded to judicial custody, according to a police release.

The arrested are Avula Nagi Reddy, a tractor driver, Dasari Naresh, a mutton shop owner, Thati Veerababu, a coolie, and Kannedari Anantaiah. The first three were caught at Nagi Reddy's house in Laxmipuram, and the fourth was picked up from Nagineniprolu Reddypalem based on their information. Police seized binding wire, a digging bar, and empty bottles from them. A case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder has been registered based on a complaint by deputy range officer Kursam Anarkali.

Paloncha circle inspector K Satish warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone laying live electric wires to hunt wildlife, endangering both animals and officials. Naveen, 37, is survived by his wife, a three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and a one-and-a-half-year-old son. The four accused are to be produced before a court for judicial remand.