Poachers get RI for killing tusker

Mananthavadi, Kerala, Jan 25 (UNI) In an exemplary verdict, a local court here has sentenced four poachers, two of them from Karnataka, to three years' rigorous imprisonment for killing a tusker in Wayanad district of Kerala more than three years ago.

Mananthavadi Judicial First Class Magistrate Santhosh Luke yesterday also awarded three years' simple imprisonment for another five accused for killing the elephant for ivory at the Kakkery forest of Tholpetti range in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary on March 30, 2003.

The judge also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on all the accused.

Those sentenced to RI were Vettikkunnel John of Marakkadavu, Karote Kutti of Urumbil, Chandru and Mahesh from Bairakkuppa and Hannanotta of neighbouring Karnataka.

UNI