Illegal Hunting Ring Busted in Telangana

Six individuals, including a professional shooter linked to the Telangana Rifle Association, were arrested for illegal hunting activities in Shadnagar and Makthal forest areas. The police, in collaboration with the Forest department, captured them while using airguns to hunt protected species like deer and peacocks. They face charges under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Authorities in Telangana have dismantled an illegal hunting operation, apprehending six individuals, among them a professional shooter connected to the Telangana Rifle Association. The suspects were arrested during a joint operation conducted by the police and the Forest department in the Shadnagar and Makthal forest regions.

The arrested individuals were caught using airguns to hunt protected animals, including deer, peacocks, rabbits, quails, and doves. The operation also led to the recovery of several items from the accused, including four airguns, a licensed rifle with 20 live rounds, a car, eight mobile phones, and airgun pellets.

The main suspect, a bird trader, along with his associates, engaged in hunting between January of the previous year and February this year. They documented their unlawful activities in photographs and disposed of the animal remains in a nearby canal. The case against them has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.