Day after forest fire killed 10 in Theni, tour guide who led 36-member trekking group arrested

Theni: A 30-year-old man, believed to be a tour guide who led a 36-member trekking group on an ill-fated expedition in the district, has been arrested, police said on Tuesday. Ten people — seven women and three men — were killed in a forest fire in Kurangani hills in Western Ghats on Saturday, with the incident sending shock waves. [caption id=“attachment_4385939” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. News18[/caption] Ranjith was arrested on Monday night, they said, adding that he was being questioned to ascertain whether he had any links with a Chennai-based group which is believed to have arranged for the expedition that turned tragic. Police are probing, among others, how the trekkers came into contact with Ranjith, a local. The 36-member team — 24 people from Chennai and 12 from Tirupur and Erode districts — had embarked on the trekking expedition and reached Kurangani hills on 10 March. The team included 25 women and three children.