Leopard skin seizure exposes interstate links

The Times of India , Friday, February 21, 2014
Correspondent :
NAGPUR: Gondia forest officials have seized a leopard skin and exposed an interstate gang of wildlife criminals after arresting four persons - two from Bahela in Lanji near Balaghat and two others from Aamgaon, 130km from here.

According to sources, forest officials were tipped-off on Wednesday afternoon by local police that two persons from Aamgaon were attempting to sell a leopard skin to a local.

A joint team of foresters and policemen led by mobile squad assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Vijay Udapure sent a fake customer to deal with the accused and arrested Ritesh Gupta (24) and Kailash Funde (33), both from Aamgaon.

Another accused from Aamgaon Purshottam Shivankar, who promised to sell the skin through his relative in Chandrapur, was also detained. Eight years ago, Shivankar was held for possessing a leopard skin.

Based on the statements given by the accused, it appears the leopard was poached in Lanji forest area, 25km from Aamgaon. The forest lies in Pench-Nagzira-Kanha corridor in Balaghat division.

The kingpin involved in actual poaching of animals was also arrested late Thursday evening in Saleghat. He has been identified as Lilyram Wakde of Bahela.

The leopard skin was handed over to Gupta and Funde by Devendra Nagpure, a resident of Panchamtola in Lanji, to sell it. Forest department sources said some accused are suspected to have skins of tiger and other animals.

"We are still recording the statements of the accused and will try to trace other culprits," said Udapure.

Sources said Gupta and Funde were in touch with Shivankar, who is an old hand in the trade. He had told the accused duo that he would help them sell the skin through his nephew who stays in Chandrapur and is involved in the trade there.

"Only a thorough investigation can throw light in the case. It may be a local gang involved in targeting wild animals in the corridor and selling the skins and body parts to prominent persons," said Sawan Bahekar, honorary district wildlife warden of Gondia. The links between this interstate gang need to be cracked, he added.

In the evening, the three accused were produced before Aamgaon judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) RK Purohit who granted a day's forest custody (FCR) to them.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Leopard-skin-seizure-exposes-interstate-links/articleshow/30749699.cms
 


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