Two poachers were arrested and leopard skin recovered from their possession in the Risia area of Bahraich district on Saturday. The police suspect that the accused have links with the notorious Bawariya gang.
Those arrested have been identified as Salim, a resident of Shravasti, and Poi Devi — belonging to Chittor in Rajasthan.
“The accused were arrested in Bahraich for a similar offence in 2006. After being granted bail, they have been residing in the area from the last six months. They claimed the leopard was poached in Nepal. However, we believe that it happened in the local jungle area,” said Risia Station Officer K D Singh. The accused will be sent on custody remand, he added.
“Poi Devi’s husband Varmal was also earlier arrested in Bahraich for a similar offence and is in jail,” said Singh.
In 2006, a 10-member Bawariya gang, which operated in Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, was arrested. While six members were from Bawariya, the remaining were locals. Tiger skin, bones and iron traps were recovered from their possession.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Two-poachers-arrested-in-Bahraich/568559
