Chennai : Tamil Nadu government has instituted a probe into the death of 11 trekkers who were trapped in a forest fire in Kurangani Hills in Theni district on March 11.

The probe will be headed by Atulya Misra, Principal Secretary, Department of Revenue and Disaster Management and has been directed to submit its report within two months.

The probe committee will go into all circumstances leading to the tragic incident, forest fire, as also trekking activity that was allegedly done without permissions from forest department. According to a government statement, the whole incident to needed to be probed in depth as it would help the government take further action in the issue.

The terms of reference of the probe include, Review of the procedure established in Forest Department for regulation /permission of trekking in Reserved Forest area; Role and lapses if any on the part of trekking organisers; Role and lapses on the part of forest officials if any; Recommendations to avoid such incidents / tragedy in forest areas shall be given by the Enquiry Officer.