Probe ordered into burning and killing of bear in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 18 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered an inquiry into the burning and killing of a wild bear by a mob in Tral area of Pulwama district on November 18 even as the wildlife authorities termed the incident as ''unfortunate and shameful''.

Talking to UNI here, Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Syed Farooq Ahmed Geelani said the Chief Wildlife Warden has ordered an inquiry into the incident which occurred in Tral area on November 18.

However, the footage showing a mob of 4000 people setting the bear on fire and hurling stones and bricks at the wild animal was telecast by a private TV channel yesterday.

The bear was eventually killed by the mob.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case after the wildlife authorities lodged an FIR at the Tral police station.

Mr Geelani said the investigations have been launched into the ''unfortunate and shameful'' incident.

''We strongly condemn and feel ashamed and sorry over the incident....It is a serious crime and has hurt the sentiments of millions of animal lovers across the world. We will take all possible measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future,'' he added.

Mr Geelani said the incident, though an isolated one, was an eye-opener for the Wildlife Department as more corrective measures would be taken to prevent man-animal conflict in future.

He said the department would soon launch several programmes in the Kashmir valley to create awareness among the people about the wildlife and initiate measures for its protection.

Mr Geelani said police observed restraint on opening fire on the mob that day as it would have resulted in several casualties.

''It was a mob fury. Any police action would have resulted in a number of human casualties. Besides the mob was enraged as the wild animals had killed many people during the past few weeks,'' he said.

Mr Geelani said six deaths by wild animals had been reported from different parts of Kashmir over the past several weeks. While hundreds have been wounded, about 50-60 badly mauled people were undergoing treatment, including plastic surgeries, in various hospitals across the Valley, he added.

During this year, Mr Geelani said there have been 60-70 incidents of man-animal conflicts. However, in most of these cases the animals were driven to the jungles by the wildlife officials, he added.

Mr Geelani said there was an increase in the incidence of man-animal conflict over a period of time due to population explosion, disturbance of their natural habitation and the people moving to forest areas.

UNI AG VD DS1501