JAISALMER: The poaching of three chinkaras by army jawans in Barmer district has now taken another turn with the jawans failing to turn up for interrogation before the forest officials. On Sunday, the forest officials waited for the whole day in vain for the jawans.
The district forest officer (DFO) has now given one more opportunity for the jawans to appear on Monday. The DFO also issued a notice to a Lieutenant Colonel to appear on Tuesday.
The defence spokesperson said in a press release that a court of inquiry has started and the army has requested forest officers to become witnesses in the court of inquiry.
Barmer DFO B R Bhadu said that in this serious case, the jawans have to come for assisting in the investigation. "As far as the court of inquiry is concerned, it is their private process. The Wildlife Act has got nothing to do with the court of inquiry," he said.
Bhadu said he has issued notice to five soldiers-subedar Gopilal, havaldar B R Nath, naik N Sarkar, lance naik IR Pardeshi and constable DR Naidu to appear on Monday. A notice was also issued to Lt Col Chandel to appear on Tuesday.
Defence spokeman S D Goswami said: "The army's court of inquiry is progressing on fast track. The alleged army witnesses are being examined and in the meantime army has also officially requested forest officials and other civil officials who visited the army camp at Neembla (Barmer) to depose before the army court of inquiry. The army has been extending full cooperation to the forest officials and will continue doing so."
"The army being fully-equipped to deal with the allegations against its persons and to take punitive measure in case allegations are found to be proved, the forest officials need to merely extend their fullest cooperation by way of furnishing evidence with them. The army is known for speedy justice, if any army personnel is found guilty in court of inquiry, disciplinary action will be taken as per the law of the land," he added.
