A slew of reports in papers couple of days after poachers were arrested from Nagpur and Delhi expose the wide ranging ramifications of the ring. From international connections in China, Nepal and Tibet to local failure on the part of Maharasthra govt officials, the arrests have laid bare a tale of systemic official failure. A TOI report cites failure on part of forest officials in Maharasthra who have are supposed to monitor illegal wildlife trading using the train route having summarily failed in detecting the smuggling when the CBI caught the poachers in Nagpur. The 'train cell' as it is called is supposed to monitor traffic emanating from in and around Tadoba primarily to detect and curb poaching activities.
The two men arrested in Delhi were both Tibetans who were obviously acting as conduits to smuggle out the skins to China.
The accused were all presented in court and were remanded to custody for a few days. What is important is for the CBI to use these men and leads to expose the entire ring which could go a long way in busting what looks like one of the most significant wildlife trading gang operating in India.
Investigation officials are calling this as the most significant bust up after Sansar Chand the dreaded poacher was caught a few years back. Incidentally Sansar Chand was released on bail in Jaipur a few months back after state govt officials failed to present a robust case for continuation of his custody. One hopes this case doesnt go the same way.
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Tibetans arrested in poaching case, link traced to ChinaTrain monitoring system of Tiger Cell failed? |
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