Two more detained in Gir lion poaching case

Junagadh, Apr 3 (UNI) Two persons were detained by the police today in connection with killing of Asiatic Lions in Gir forest.

Police had already detained four men couple of days ago.

back and all in all six persons have been detained so far.

The police are tight-lipped about the two men, Nanji and Iqbal detained today.

Mr Mohan Kumar Jha, IGP of southern Saurashtra told UNI the four detained earlier were not connected to poaching. However, some weapons like sword, sundry knives were recovered from them. The two detained today are being questioned and the inquiry is still on, Mr Jha said.

When contacted, CID IG (Crime) Keshav Kumar refused to with one on the issue.

Earlier, CID Additional DG (Crime) Sriman Mathur had visited the Gir Sanctuary on Saturday.

Presently, the Sasan village, 60 km from here, has been closed for outsiders. No one is allowed to enter the Gir through Sasan village by the police and the forest department.

It is interesting to note that in 1880 there were only 12 lions when hunting was at its peak. Later, the Nawab of Junagadh had banned hunting of lions. According to 1893 census there were 31 lions; 1905-70 lions, 1913-20 lions, 1920-50 lions, 1936-287 lions, 1950-227 lions, 1955-290 lions, 1963-285 lions, 1968-117 lions, 1974-180 (drought) lions, 1979-205 lions, 1984-239 lions, 1990-284 lions, 1995-304 lions, 2001-327 lions, 2005-359 lions and in 2007, it is 343 after 16 lions have been killed in three months this year from January to March 2007.

UNI