Now, govt employees demand CBI inquiry into rhino death

[Guest guest]

 

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/now-govt-employees-demand-cbi-inquiry-into-rhi\

no-death/527868/

 

 

Now, govt employees demand CBI inquiry into rhino death

 

A Day after the body of a rhino was found with bullet injuries in Jaldapara

Wildlife Forest Reserve, Government Employees Federation demanded a CBI inquiry

into the incident on Sunday.

 

The federation, with a large number of forest officials, demanded the

resignation of the state forest minister and principal chief conservator of

forest.

 

On Saturday, the rhino had crossed over the Torsha river from the reserve.

Thereafter, the forest officials along with the villagers pelted stones and

fired tranquilliser shots to drive the animal back to the reserve. The officials

also employed elephants to drive the animal back but failed to do so.. Finally,

it fell in the river and died.

 

The carcass of another injured female rhino was also recovered from the forest.

“A CBI inquiry should be conducted. How can an animal be found dead with a

bullet injury in the restricted area?†said Sanjib Chatterjee, state secretary

of the Federation.

 

Following the incident, the Forest department had conducted a postmortem on

Saturday.

 

The department, however, dismissed allegations of negligence on the part of

forest officials. “We are not aware whether it was a poacher who killed the

rhino or not. But the bullet does not appear to have been fired by any forest

official,†said a forest official. “The animal was already injured and the

forest authorities tried to tranquillise and send the animal back to the

forest,†added the official.

 

 

 

 

 

----------

Dr. Sashanka

Chief Functionary - JBF(Just Be Friendly)

Co-opted Member - Animal Welfare Board of India

(Ministry of Environment & Forests)

New Delhi - India.