A farmer near Periyanaickenpalayam was taken into custody for interrogation, for reportedly connecting live electricity to the fence of his farm, to prevent wildlife from entering it. The wire could have harmed the lives of human beings, in this case officials of the Forest Department.

With increasing incidents of elephants straying into agricultural fields in and around Periyanaickenpalam, farmers had approached the Forest Department, which had allowed the farmers to erect battery operated fence to protect their produce from elephants.

Apart from this, the Department personnel used to burst crackers during their night rounds, to scare away the animals, police said.

The personnel, numbering about 10, who were on night rounds, noticed spark coming from a fence in the early hours of today and on suspicion informed the Electricity Board officials, who rushed to the spot and on inspecting found that live current was connected to the fence from the pump house.
Since such a provision to connect direct power to the fence was not allowed, Ramasamy was taken into custody for interrogation, police said. The fence could have led to casualties of both human and animals, as personnel of the Forest Department regularly go on rounds.
Had the group touched or crossed the fence, failing to see the spark, there could have been some casualties, they claimed.