(Mis)led by Google Maps, two youth held for trespassing

Chittar: It would have never occurred to the two biking youths that they were in for trouble by landing at the wrong spot (mis)led by Google Maps. Two youths who used Google maps and were destined for the tourist location of Thekkady finally trespassing into the protected area of Sbarimala sannidhan.

Since the area was barred for public entry, the police charged a case against them for encroaching into the forest area, and later released them on bail. Sreejith, 27 and Vipin Varghese 23 were on the lookout for a short cut from Chittar to Thekkady and searched Google Maps app on their mobile phones.

Soon they reached Pampa via Plachery, went past the Ganapati kovill and advanced further. The gate to the sannidhan was open. Although there were policemen on duty, the duo's entry escaped the cops' attention. They noticed it only after the two went past them, but soon on noticing it alerted the forest guards and police in the area. The forest guards took the two into custody who had traversed Swami Ayyappan Road to arrive there.

Only during interrogation did it transpire that they were let down so critically by Google Maps. And it so happened that there is a trekking path to Thekkady through the forest land which was what Google Maps showed them. Because of land slip in Planthod area along the Sabarimala track, traffic was permitted only up to Attathodu. The bikershad breached this border. However by 7.30 pm, the forest guards and police together guided them back to Pampa.