10 persons arrested for killing of endangered Asiatic black bear in EKH
At least 10 persons have been arrested for their alleged involvement in capturing and killing of an endangered Asiatic black bear in East Khasi Hills District.
“One was arrested yesterday and nine others were taken into custody today for interrogation into the incident,” Forest and Environment Minister Lahkmen Rymbui told reporters here on Wednesday.
The action was taken following a photograph of some local villagers was taken along with the captured wild animal have gone viral on social media.
An inquiry was immediately ordered into the incident which had taken place in a village under the Pynursla civil sub-division along the Indo-Bangla border.
Asked, the minister said further investigation into the case is still going on. “As per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, anybody found guilty of killing an endangered animal are liable to be sentenced to seven years of imprisonment and fine of Rs 25,000,” he said.
Rymbui however said that preliminary investigation revealed that the accused persons had burnt the captured Asiatic black bear.
On the other hand, the minister said he cannot accept that people are ignorant of the law as the Act had came into existence since 1972. He said moreover, enough awareness was also given by the government by organizing the wildlife week every year. “What I would like to state here is that if you hunt wild animals, the long arms of the law will also hunt you down,” Rymbui said while uring the citizens to refrain from such illegal activities.
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Myntri baieit, sngewbha wat shu pynsngap ïa ka bor ki bniat jong ka Act. Sngewbha ai ba kin dait ruh. Namar dang bun bah ki bym kheiñ ïa ki mrad bapli.