The Forest Department arrested six persons in connection with the poaching of a Sambar deer in Kattabettu forest range in the Nilgiris forest division on Monday (August 24, 2026). They also seized a deer hide, a country-made rifle and slaughtering knives from the men.The six accused were identified as B. Velu (36), R. Surya (32), M. Manickam (36), all from Karamadai in Coimbatore, R. Senthilkumar (45), V. Viswanathan (38), and R. Chinnadurai, from Udhagamandalam in the Nilgiris. The Forest Department stated that they had received information about the men from residents and launched a hunt for the six on Monday, leading to their arrests. A case was registered against them under the Wildlife Protection Act, they were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The Department reiterated that Sambar deer is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and that hunting or purchasing meat for consumption would attract strict action. They also appealed to the public about the movement of poachers near to their homes. Published - August 25, 2026 08:35 pm IST