Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 25: Three people were arrested after forest officials intercepted a vehicle at Hathitapu in South Andaman and allegedly recovered 16.5 kg of venison, two dead Asian Fairy-bluebirds and air guns and other equipment during an intelligence-led operation on September 20.
Staff and workers of the Tushnabad Range under the South Andaman Forest Division stopped the vehicle, bearing registration number AN 01 G 6493, with the three persons onboard. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the wildlife and equipment, following which the forest team seized the vehicle and the items and apprehended the occupants.
The seized items included two air guns, 554 air-gun pellets, a fishing rod, a dah, a kadai with lid and a knife, in addition to the venison and two dead Asian Fairy-bluebirds.
The forest department subsequently registered a case under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, against the accused. They were produced before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Sri Vijaya Puram.
The court remanded all three accused to judicial custody.
The forest authorities have retained the seized wildlife articles, equipment and vehicle as part of the investigation. Further legal proceedings will be undertaken under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and other applicable laws, according to a press release issued by the Divisional Forest Officer, Wimberlygunj.
The seizure brings the investigation into the alleged possession and transport of wildlife and the equipment recovered from the vehicle under the relevant wildlife protection provisions. The case remains subject to investigation and further legal proceedings.
