India News: 9 poachers nabbed in Umred-Karhandla (12 April 2014)

9 poachers nabbed in Umred-Karhandla
NAGPUR: In a timely action, Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary officials nabbed nine hardened wildlife poachers inside the sanctuary who were on hunt for wild animals on Thursday night.

The poachers have been identified as Shankar Tambekar, Rajeram Nanhe, Vinod Dighore, Vishnu Mandhre, Krishna Nanhe, Prakash Nanhe, Harichandra Dighore, Baiju Tambekar, and Suraj Kare. All the accused are residents of Budhwaripeth, Umred. Two of their accomplices managed to escape.

Assistant conservator of forests (ACF) and investigating officer Nandkishore Kale produced all the accused before judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) VL Bhosale on Friday. The court sent them to forest custody till April 14.

According to divisional forest officer (DFO) SB Bhalavi, the gang was nabbed at 10.30 pm in compartment number 1415 in Karhandla beat when RFO GF Luche was on patrolling round. The accused had sneaked into the park on seven bicycles and two motorcycles with an intention to poach wild animals.

A dozen weapons like spears, sickles, and knives used to kill and skin animals, besides huge thick nets were confiscated from them. "The nets could have trapped not only herbivores but also carnivores," said Bhalavi. The poachers were initially evasive saying they were going for fishing.

Officials said the accused are habitual offenders and must be frequenting the area even before it was notified a sanctuary but have been caught for the first time. When the accused were produced in court, their 60-70 supporters including relatives thronged the court premises.

source from: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/9-poachers-nabbed-in-Umred-Karhandla/articleshow/33638121.cms