Three poachers held with leopard skin

LUCKNOW: A Special Task Force arrested three persons allegedly involved in poaching and smuggling of leopard skin for several years from Meerut, a senior officer said.

Anees, Kasim and Nadeem were arrested when they were about to deliver a consignment of two leopard skin to some clients at Cahpula tank locality in Meerut, additional director general of police (law and order) Brij Lal told reporters here.

The STF action was based on information about a gang involved in poaching and smuggling in the area in the last few months.

They confessed to the police that they had killed leopards in forests of Kumaon and Gharwal in Uttrakhand and later sold hides to various customers, he claimed.

The gang, which was active for last 5-6 years, used to supply leopard skin for Rs 50,000-60,000, the ADG said.

A case had been lodged against the trio under Wildlife Conservation Act.