Port Blair(Sri Vijaya Puram): An intelligence-led forest operation in South Andaman has led to the arrest of three persons and the seizure of 16.5 kg of venison, two dead Asian Fairy-bluebirds and two air guns, besides other equipment allegedly linked to a wildlife offence.
Acting on intelligence inputs, a team of the Tushnabad Range under the South Andaman Forest Division intercepted a vehicle at Hathitapu on September 20 and conducted a search. The vehicle, bearing registration number AN 01 G 6493, was found carrying the wildlife articles and equipment. The seizure included 16.5 kg of venison, two dead Asian Fairy-bluebirds, two air guns, 554 air-gun pellets, a fishing rod, a dah, a knife and a kadai with lid. The vehicle and the seized articles were taken into custody for investigation.
The operation was conducted by a team led by Head Forest Guard P. Hamza, assisted by Forest Guard M. Shabbir and Mazdoors K. Hussainar, Sunil Maji and Sanjay Narayan, under the overall supervision of P.K. Sandhya Prasad, Forest Ranger and Range Officer, Tushnabad.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The three accused were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Sri Vijaya Puram, who remanded them to judicial custody. The Forest Department said the seized wildlife articles, vehicle and equipment would remain in custody as the investigation proceeds and further legal action is initiated under the Wildlife (Protection) Act and other applicable laws.
The South Andaman Forest Division has appealed to residents to cooperate in protecting the Islands’ forests and wildlife and to report information about poaching, hunting or other violations of forest and wildlife laws. Information may be shared with the Forest Department through its helpline 03192-255228. The department said the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.
