Two persons were arrested today in the forest area in Perinaickenpalayam for poaching and for possessing a country-made rifle.

The forest departmental officials, who were making their regular rounds in the early hours of today, noticed three persons moving in a suspicious manner for poaching animals in the jungles. The officials managed to nab two of them K. Ayyasamy and P. Ravi – residents of Veerappan Pudur, while they were trying to shoot down a wild boar for meat. Another person, later identified as Sivaraj, managed to escape.

Inquiries revealed that the culprits were first-time poachers.

The arrested men were handed over to the Thudiyalur police. Investigations are on as to how they managed to get a gun.