MYSURU, 20 FEB

Forest officials have apprehended two individuals for allegedly igniting a fire on forest grassland within the Ramapura wildlife division of the Malemahadeshwara Hills wildlife sanctuary in Hanur taluk, Chamarajanagar district.

The suspects, identified as Basavanna and Shivakumar from Dantalli village, reportedly set fire to the Basavanagudi beat forest on Monday. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Paramesh and Range Forest Officer (RFO) Rajashekhar Murthy conducted an investigation into the cause of the fires in the area. Following inquiries with local residents, the duo was arrested on Wednesday and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.