Chennai: Tension prevailed in Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border after the body of a 40-year-old man who went missing last week was found floating on the banks of River Palar in Erode district on Friday.
While the family members and his friends who accompanied him said that he was shot dead, the district police maintained that he could have drowned in the river. However, the police refused to reveal whether he had any bullet injuries.
The police intensified the police patrol in areas including Kolathur bordering Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain law and order. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin also condemned the 'firing'.
The deceased M Karavadiyan (a) Raja from Govindapadi village of Kolathur in Salem district along with three others went fishing in the forest area in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka inter-state border on February 14. However, the locals told PTI that the Karnataka personnel surrounded them and alleged that they attempted to hunt and poach in the jungle.
The locals said that the personnel also shot Raja and on seeing this, the others fled the spot with injuries.
The Erode district police said that there was a poaching case against Raja in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka and another case in Kolathur (Salem District) over gambling.
As per PTI, they also said that he could have ‘accidentally drowned’ or may have jumped into the river ‘for some other reason,’.
After the issue came to light, CM Stalin said, "Raja's body has been found in Sennapatti forest area. I strongly condemn the shooting by Karnataka Forest Department. I extend my condolences to the family of Raja and announce Rs 5 lakh aid under CM's relief fund."