Three men with arms held in TN forest

Three men armed with sickles, a spear and countrymade guns have been held in the Varusanadu hills and they were being quizzed to find out if they have links with naxals, a forest official said here Saturday.

The trio was spotted late Friday by a patrol in the Udangal region falling under the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Forest Range Officer Iqbal told PTI.

"Two countrymade guns, a air-gun, sickles and a spear have been seized from them," he said adding that three two-wheelers used by them have been seized as well.

It was not immediately known as to why the three men traversed into the protected forest region, he added.

The trio may have gone into the forests for illegal hunting and they were being questioned, he said.

"The details about the three men have been shared with anti-Naxal police personnel and it is being ascertained if they have links with Naxals," the official said.

The Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats is noted for its rich flora and fauna.