Chamarajanagara: The forest department officials arrested three tree poachers in Bearambady beet of Maddur range in the Bandipur National Park Tiger Reserve.
Ajith, Suresh and Bella from Lachipura Colony of Gundlupete Taluk are the culprits. When the forest officials were on their daily rounds, they heard a noise similar to that of cutting trees. When they went in search of the source of the sound, they found three men cutting down a sandalwood tree. When the forest officials tried to overpower the culprits, Ajith tried to attack the officials with an axe and accessories used for cutting trees. The forest officials shot Ajith in his leg in self-defence and arrested the gang.
The forest officials also took under their custody eight sandalwood pieces, an axe and accessories used for cutting trees.
The injured Ajith was admitted to a government hospital in Gundlupete and later, shifted to K R Hospital in Mysuru for better treatment.
The remaining two culprits Suresh and Bella were produced in the court and remanded to judicial custody.