Poachers kill spotted deer (in Gir Forest)

[Guest guest]

25-2-2008

 

Poachers kill spotted deer (in Gir Forest)

 

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

 

Junagadh, February23 In less than a year, Gir forest is again under serious

threat from poachers. A series of incidents of poaching and attacking forest

guards inside the sanctuary have surfaced now. On Friday evening, three

poachers had killed one spotted dear and attacked two forest guards in the

Jawantri area under the Jamwala forest range in Gir west forest division, of

whom one was seriously wounded. After the incident, the three tried to flee

from the spot, but by Saturday noon, two of them surrendered before the

Talala police.

 

When contacted, deputy conservator of forest (Gir-west) B P Pati confirmed

the incident, saying, " Two forest guards heard the sound of gunfire during

routine patrolling. They immediately rushed towards the direction of the

sound and saw three locals moving around with countrymade guns. "

 

According to Pati, the forest guards tried to overpower the poachers, but in

the process one guard, identified as Bhavesh Bakotra (30) was seriously

injured, while another guard identified as A P Dokal was threatened at

gunpoint. Later, the three poachers escaped from the scene.

 

Pati said Dokal immediately informed his superiors about the incident with

his cellphone. Forest officials rushed to the spot soon after and

hospitalised the injured forest guard, whose condition was reported to be

critical at the time of admission. He is now out of danger, though.

 

Meanwhile, according to a confirmed report, two out of three poachers have

surrendered before the Talala police. The duo has been identified as Kalu

Jumma Dafer, a resident of Jawantri village, and Abdul Dafer, a resident of

Sangodra village. It is significant that Sangodra and Jawantri are both

located on the periphery of Gir forest. The police have arrested both the

accused.

 

Bakotra has lodged complaints against the three with the Talala police under

Sections 307 (attempt of murder) 186 (preventing government official from

performing official duty) and 332 (physically assaulting on-duty government

official), of the Indian Penal Code. The three have also been booked under

various provision of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 rule 9, 2 and 51.

 

According to Pati, the killing of wild animals in the forest area is a

serious offence, liable to punishment with imprisonment between three to

seven years and fine or both.

 

According to police and forest sources, both Kalu and Abdul have admitted

that they have killed a spotted dear, though the carcass is yet to be

recovered. A manhunt has also been launched to nab the third poacher while

police authorities have grilled the two and their further interrogation is

awaited.

 

" Locals from the Dafer (a Scheduled Tribe) community are involved in this

crime. Many from this community are habitual poachers of herbivores,

particularly deer or blue-bull. The community members generally take shelter

in an isolated area far from human habitat. They are spread throughout

Gujarat, but their prime profession is to provide protection to standing

crops in the agricultural area, " said sources.