Madikeri: The Siddapura police arrested Ammatanda Poonacha (50) on charges of firing at Diddalli tribal tents on Wednesday. It is said that Poonacha, a coffee grower in Gudlur near Siddapura, had given Rs 1000, 200 and 800 as advance to tribals Mani, Chippa and Annappa for some estate work. When they did not turn up for work, he visited Diddalli and quarrelled with them to have his money back.
But the tribals did not turn up for work again and nor did they return the money. An enraged and inebriated Poonacha went to Diddalli tribals colony and fired three rounds using SBBL gun.
Superintendent of Police P Rajendraprasad told that police had recovered a live cartridge from the crime scene on Tuesday itself.
Following clues by tribals, police arrested the accused and also recoveredthree empty cartridges from the backyard of his house and the gun used forcrime. SP said the accused is mentally not sound.
Siddapura police registered a case and produced the accused before JMFC court which remanded him to judicial custody for 15 days.
