Karkala : A man was shot inside the reserve forest, in a case of mistaken identity by a poacher when the former ventured into the forest along with his accomplices to illegally fell trees during night hours on June 15.
The incident took place in Kadtala Paljeddu Reserve Forest, where Ravindra Naik, 28, a resident of Kadtala Paljeddu died of bullet injuries sustained, on the way to Manipal hospital.
Krishnakanta Naik, a close friend of Ravindra Naik planned to steal trees for house construction at Muniyalu and accordingly entered Kadtala Paljeddu Reserve forest at 8.30 pm on Wednesday night with his friends Udaya Naik, Santosh Poojary and Nitesh to execute the plan. After felling two Bovi trees, around 11.00 pm, they heard some noise in the background. Presuming it to be Forest Department staff on night search, all fled in different directions. Ravindra Naik and Uday Naik were on one side, while Krishnakanta Naik, Santosh Poojary and Nitesh remained at the other end.
When Ravindra Naik, who was standing beside the tree, attempted to call his accomplices on his cell phone, he was shot from close range in a case of mistaken identity by poachers presuming it to be boar.
However, Krishnakanta Naik and his other accomplices moved the injured Ravindra Naik in the jeep to Muniyalu Lakshminarayana Clinic . On doctors advice they then took Ravindra Naik to Manipal KMC Hospital. However, Ravinda Naik succumbed to bullet injuries on the way to the hospital and was declared brought dead at Manipal Hospital.
Meanwhile, the accused identified as Sundara Naik and Jeetu have been arrested along with few others. Forest department officials have also filed a case against seven people, including deceased Ravindra Naik, for illegal entry into Paljeddu Reserve Forest. A case was registered in Ajekar police station.
It may be recalled, there were several reports in the media a few days ago about the illegal tree felling and poaching inside forests in the area,
