Massive animal skin haul in MP

Jabalpur, Dec 19 (UNI) Skin of two tigers, four black deer, a 'chinkara' (antelope) and 11 other deer -- worth roughly Rs 20 lakh -- were seized here today from two poacher-cum-smugglers who were active in Hoshangabad district's reserve forest area.

Superintendent of Police Makrand Deuskar and Additional SP Manohar Verma told journalists that constables Akhilesh Pande and Ismail Khan -- posted at Omti Police Station -- received a tip-off at about 0400 hrs that two Hoshangabad district-resident persons had come here to sell the skin and were waiting for someone under Napier Town's Shastri Bridge.

Station House Officer R D Bhardwaj led a team that executed the arrests.

''The duo identified themselves as Dhanraj Mogia (35) alias Munna from Bankhedi village and Raju Pardi (55) from Theekri village. They confessed during preliminary interrogation. We will seek police remand and sustained interrogation is likely to reveal crucial details regarding a smugglers' gang,'' Mr Deuskar explained.

Pointing out that a tiger skin was sold for Rs 3-5 lakh, the officer added that a recommendation was being made for awarding the personnel.

UNI RG-AC 1938