Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, May 10: The personnel of the local police station have arrested three persons on the charges of detonating explosives at the source of drinking water system of the town, and causing death of hundreds of fishes.

The drinking water needs of the town are fulfilled by pumping water from Somavathi rivulet. The people saw that hundreds of fishes were floating on the water and lying on the banks of the rivulet on Thursday morning.

As soon as this fact was brought to the notice of the town panchayat staff, who operate the drinking water system, supply of drinking water was stopped as it was suspected that the water had been poisoned. The health inspector was then deputed to the region to conduct an inspection.

During the investigation, the officials learnt that this was the handiwork of those who wanted to catch lot of fishes at one go. These people had set up a blast by using explosives in the area, and not poisoned it. After ensuring that there is no danger to the health of the people from the water, water supply was resumed in the afternoon.

Relating to the incident, two Tamil Nadu-based residents of Vittal were taken into custody, along with a local.

The arrested persons have been identified as Ram Kumar, Suresh, and Shekhar, residing near Raghavendra Math in Laila. All of them confessed having used explosives and nets to catch fishes in the area, it is gathered.