Armymen pay heavy price for hunting partridge

Jodhpur, Feb 19 (UNI) Four armymen had to pay a heavy penalty when they went on a hunting spree and killed a partridge in Jodhpur district.

A flying squad of forest department charged a penalty of Rs 51,000 from the soldiers comprising a Colonel and three jawans. The Army has taken a serious note of the matter and would take action accordingly.

Forest department officials say the Colonel and the jawans, who were posted at Jodhpur Cantonment, went out to hunt near Jojiwal Dhora village under Dangiawas police station yesterday and started shooting at partridges. The villagers intimated the forest department immediately.

The flying squad arrived on the spot and seized a dead partridge and an airgun. They also lodged a case under the Wildlife Protection Act and started investigations.

Later, they fined the four soldiers Rs 51,000. The Colonel had to pay a penalty of Rs 21,000 and the other three jawans of Rs 10,000 each.

The defence forces always contribute towards the protection of forest and environment but if anybody is found flouting the rules, the Army would take action accordingly, Army sources said.

UNI