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Junagadh, March 6: With no clues available, the State Forest Department has started the tedious task of checking records of vehicles plied on the Babaria-Una road in the last week, in an attempt trace the poachers who killed two lionesses and a cub around March 1. But with hundreds of vehicles using the road daily, it is an uphill task to verify each and every vehicle and the antecedents of the occupants of the vehicles while inside the sanctuary. Sources said, a few suspect registration numbers of vehicles which passed through the sanctuary have been identified and records are being checked.
Though the forest department has declared a reward of Rs 50,000 for providing correct information, nothing concrete has been emerged and no arrests have been made. However, forest department’s special investigation team started intensified drive to nab the culprits and investigation is going on in various directions.
When contacted, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Gir-West) B L Shukla said, “I have visited Veraval railway station on Tuesday and communicated with Gujarat railway police and Railway protection force’s official. They have been asked to keep close eye on trains bound to Madhya Pradesh. As in this case too, considering previous incidents,MP gang’s possible involvement is highly suspected.” Beside pamphlets have been distributed in villages existed on forest-revenue border, he added.
Conservator of forest (wild life) Bharat Pathak said, “Investigation is going on and suspects have been questioned but no one is detained so far.” He added that under Wild life (protection) Act 1972, killing of lion is serious crime. Accused person, if convicted, is liable for three to seven years’ imprisonment and fine or both.
Deputy conservator of forest (Sasan-Gir) Maneshwar Raja has said, “Entire forest staff of Gir east and west forest division have been alerted.”
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