Chamarajanagar: Around 10 acres of forest were reduced to ashes after miscreants allegedly set fire to the forest at Shilubepura in Kollegal taluk on Wednesday night, in what sources described as possible retaliation following a recent forest encounter.
According to sources, the fire was deliberately started at five to six locations using petrol or diesel, apparently to help the flames spread rapidly.
Forest sleuths prevent further damage
Forest personnel who reached the spot in time managed to douse the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to a larger area.
The incident comes days after an encounter on August 15 involving three alleged poachers. Sources suspect that the latest fire could be part of attempts to create new situations and divert attention from the investigation into the encounter.
Anti-poaching camps previously targeted
Following the encounter, miscreants had allegedly damaged around 11 anti-poaching camps in the area using gelatin sticks.
Sources also said the miscreants had allegedly adopted tactics associated with forest brigand Veerappan, including placing boulders and wooden logs on roads and digging potholes to prevent forest personnel from reaching incident locations.
The alleged acts have raised concerns over the safety of forest personnel and the protection of forest areas in the region.
Forest department seeks police action
The Forest Department has filed complaints at the jurisdictional police stations seeking action against those allegedly responsible for the incidents.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the latest forest fire and the possible connection with the events that followed the August 15 encounter.