PCCF to seek video footage of bear burning incident

Srinagar, Dec 20 (UNI) The inquiry officer probing the burning and killing of a wild bear by an irate mob in Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district on November 18 will seek the video footage of the incident from a private TV channel, well-placed sources said today.

They said Principal Chief Conservator Forests (PCCF) Irshad Khan, who has been asked to conduct the inquiry, would also view the video footage to ascertain the facts regarding the incident.

The private TV channel had telecast the footage showing a mob of 4000 people setting the bear on fire and hurling stones and bricks at the wild animal on December 17.

The sources said the PCCF was likely to submit his complete report about the ''unfortunate and shameful'' incident within one week.

They said the police have detained a few more people from Tral for questioning.

Police have so far arrested three of the four people named in the First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the incident while the search for the fourth person was on.

The wildlife department has also ordered attachment of four senior officials so far. These are one range officer, two foresters and a field operator.

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