The Forest department has arrested four poaches and seized a tiger and panther skin from them. The accused have confessed to having killed the animals and were trying to sell them in Maharashtra.
According to Additional PCCF (Wildlife) HS Pabla, the Khandwa Forest Division received information that some persons were trying to strike a deal with traders based in Maharashtra to sell the animal skins. Consequently, a trap was laid and forest officials posing as traders contacted the poachers.
A deal was struck after which the poachers brought the skin. The forest department officials arrested three persons later identified as Durgesh, Kamlesh and Nandlal, residents of village Jakhas pani in Betul district. Based on the information provided by the accused the police arrested Jawan Singh from village Dadukheda in Betul district.
The department has seized a tiger skin and a panther skin from their possession. The poachers said that they usually sell the skins in Dharmi in Maharashtra. The mother of the arrested Pardi gang has been arrested in the past on charges of poaching also.
A case has been registered against them under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The accused are being interrogated to find out names of the persons to whom they sold the animal merchandise.
