Tamil Nadu: Forest guard shot in neck after misfire from trespasser's gun during chase

K Sambath Kumar | TNN | May 3, 2020, 13:56 IST

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TRICHY: A 31-year-old forest guard was injured on his neck while chasing a trespasser in Thuraiyur forest of Trichy when a bullet misfired from the illegal gun carried by the trespasser.
Veerapandian, the forest guard is out of danger and getting treated in Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government hospital (MGMGH) Trichy, Thuraiyur police have arrested the trespasser.
Veerapandian was part of the six-member team on night patrolling when they spotted light in Kanapadi reserve forest. Confirming it to be a trespasser wearing head lamp, the team chose to surround the trespasser as he came closer.
The forest team chased the perpetrator when he dropped the gun and flee the spot.
“The single barrel muzzle loading (SBML) gun misfired and hit Veerapandian on right side of his neck. It could have been fatal if the bullet has brushed closer to his neck,” said trichy district forest officer D Sujatha.
Veerapandian was rushed to primary health centre, Thuraiyur in an ambulance for first aid. He was then taken to MGMGH for further treatment, she said.
Within hours after the incident Thuraiyur police arrested S Muthukrishnan, 26 from Uppiliapuram and booked him under arms act 1959 for possession of illegal weapon apart from attempt to murder under section 308 of the IPC.