Inter-state poachers gang busted

Hardwar, Apr 14: Police have nabbed two members of an inter-state poachers gang from Shaheedwala Grunt village here.

Two leopard skins were also recovered from them and the two have been sent to jail.

Announcing a reward of Rs. 2,500 for the police team, SSP Abhinav Kumar said on getting a tip-off from informers, a police team, led by circle officer, TD Bela, captured Omi and Sompal, both residents of the village Buggawala, yesterday.

Allegedly, they killed four leopards, a highly endangered animal under the Wild Life Act, during the last 10 days alone.

Gang's ring leader, Ranjeet Bengali, resident of Saharanpur (UP) is still absconding, with two leopard skins in his possession.

The police informed that the two accused confessed that they, along with Bengali, caught four leopards in Dhaulkhand range near Rajaji National Park. They also confessed that they used to smuggle wild life derivatives like leopard skins and deer horns, to Delhi via Saharanpur.

The police and the forest officials are jointly conducting an inquiry. A case under the Wild Life Act of India, 1972, has been registered against all the three accused.

Meanwhile, wildlife warden of Dehra Dun and Hardwar division RS Kehara has also reportedly reached the spot for investigations.

UNI