PALAKKAD: Two forest watchers and the driver of the forest department were present at the site of the crime when youth Madhu was thrashed by 16 persons in the Bhavani forest area under Silent Valley DFO on Thursday. This is as per the eyewitness accounts of several persons who made statements to the Agali police as well. Madhu's sister Chandrika told the police that he was provided only a few drops of water when he pleaded for it as he lay dying.
"When my brother sought more water, the mob pulled back the water bottle and he begged for it by keeping his tongue out. It was forest driver Vinod along with the watchers who tipped off the accused about the presence of Madhu in the forest near a cave at Andiyilakkara on Thursday," she said. Kudumbashree worker Sindusha said the youth was made to walk from the forest for over three kilometres to Mukkali junction.
"There were nearly 15 persons accompanying him who was forced to carry a heavy bag on his shoulders. A forest department jeep followed the crowd," she said. However, the department here is yet to identify Vinod as there are two persons with the same name. No serious charges have been framed against the watcher as yet.
