A 52-year-old man, allegedly an artisan of ivory products, was arrested by Forest officials on Thursday in connection with the elephant poaching case.
The accused, Sudhakaran who hails from Poovachal, was apprehended from a lodge in Sreekaryam.
Absconding
He had been absconding since the arrest of Aji Bright, a key accused in the elephant poaching case, and his accomplice Vijayan.
Bid to evade arrest
Soon after the arrest, it came to the notice of the Forest officials that Sudhakaran had swallowed some tablets, allegedly in a last-ditch attempt to evade arrest.
He was admitted to the General Hospital and is believed to be out of danger, the police said.
Along with Vidyasagar of Balaramapuram, who was arrested by the Flying Squad on Wednesday, more that five artisans have been nabbed in connection with the ivory products case.
Suicide attempt
Meanwhile, another accused, Jayakumar, who was arrested over a week ago for possessing several sandalwood idols, attempted to slash his wrist using a blade. The incident took place while he was being interrogated at the Paruthipally range office, the police said.
In jail
However, he suffered only a minor cut and was taken to the Sub-Jail at Poojappura after being discharged from a nearby hospital, an official said.
