ERODE: The Karnataka police have arrested three persons from Thalavadi in Sathyamangalam forest range for allegedly attempting to sell tiger skins and they were brought to Thalavadi on Thursday for an inquiry.
The trio, Balakrishna, 25, Madhesh, 28, and Rangaraj, 31, hailing from Thalavadi were arrested in Bengaluru for trying to sell tiger skins two days ago. They were brought to Thalavadi on Thursday to be grilled by Forest department officials.
Sources said that they were taken to the Thiginarai tribal village and nearby forest areas, where they allegedly hunted few tigers. The team inspected the spot, where they buried the tiger carcass and also recovered bones from the spot. Police have also taken a local farmer Sitharaj for inquiry after seizing two tiger nails from him. The three accused were taken back to Karnataka after interrogation.
When contacted, deputy director of Sathyamangala Tiger Reserve, Ms. Padm said, “We are yet to find the spot where they hunted tiger. The mode of hunting method also would be revealed after further investigations.”
An environmentalist here, expressing dismay said, “the gang allegedly tried to sell the tiger skin for Rs five lakh in Bengaluru. They might have planned for months to execute their plan to kill a tiger. However, Forest officials do not monitor the areas properly and it helps the hunters to enter into the forest. Their patrol should be increased to prevent such incidents.”
