Karnataka police nab tiger poachers

CHAMARAJNAGAR: In an intensified search and manhunt launched by the police in the backdrop of reports of poachers from Madhya Pradesh sneaking into forests of Tiger sanctuaries in the state , Kollegal police on Sunday arrested a gang of nine tribals who were moving suspiciously in the Gundal project forest area and recovered various tiger parts from them. Police also seized a cash of Rs 2 lakh from these tribals hailing from Madhya Pradesh .

According to police , two tribals were seen moving suspiciously in the Gundal project forest area which forms part of the BR Tiger sanctuary and nabbed them. When enquired , two tribal youths vague replies confounded the doubts of the police on the tribals nefarious activities forcing them to take the youths to their makeshift tent pitched near Hanur village in Kollegal taluk. Police said the forest officials and police team members were left perplexed when they found 15 tiger nails, two molar teeth and Rs 2 lakh cash inside the tent . Police also recovered 2 motorbikes bearing MP registration numbers and 2 mobile phones from the 9 tribals arrested by the police.

Disclosing the arrest of this poachers gang by Chamarajnagar SP P Rajendra Prasad said these tribals have pitched their tents near Hanur town and camping there for many days in the guise of selling plastic utensils and other consumer goods . “ All are from Mandsour district of Madhya Pradesh bordering Rajasthan” he pointed out and said police are interrogating the gang members on their antecedents and their involvement in tiger poaching. “We have to interrogate and investigate extensively to find out whether they have poached any tiger or other wild animal in Karnataka forest” he said , claiming that forest officials and police jointly conducted this raid and investigation . Forest officials have booked a case in this regard, he added.