Watch: Six arrested over alleged blackbuck hunting in Bidar

Six persons, including three from Hyderabad, were arrested for allegedly hunting a blackbuck at Chondi-Mamadapur grassland in Karnataka’s Bidar district. Forest and Police departments conducted a coordinated search operation, seized two vehicles and a rifle, and registered a wildlife offence case

Hyderabad: Six persons, including three from Hyderabad, have been arrested in connection with the alleged illegal hunting of a blackbuck at Chondi-Mamadapur grassland near the Honnikeri Reserved Forest area in Bidar district of Karnataka, the Forest Department said.

The incident was reported on August 17 at the grassland, known to be a habitat of blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra).

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According to officials, three of the suspects were chased and apprehended by alert residents of Chondi Tanda and Mamadapur Tanda and handed over to the police and subsequently to the Forest Department.

Three others allegedly fled the spot, prompting the department to constitute a special search team. “A coordinated operation involving the Forest and Police departments of Bidar and neighbouring Kalaburagi district, along with assistance from Telangana Forest authorities, resulted in the arrest of the remaining three suspects on August 18,” said Sumitkumar Subhashrao Patil, Deputy conservator of forests, Bidar.

Officials said the six arrested persons included three local residents of Chincholi taluk in Kalaburagi district and three residents of Hyderabad. Two four-wheelers and a rifle allegedly used in the offence were seized.

The arrested are Shoaib Malik, resident of Karnataka, Abdul Sayeed, resident of Falaknuma, Hyderabad, Mohd Hameed Uzzaman, resident of Malakpet, Hyderabad, Mohd Naseer, resident of Bahadurpura, Hyderabad, and Areef Khan and Md Haji, both residents of Karnataka.

A wildlife offence case has been registered and the arrested persons were produced before a court for further legal proceedings. The investigation is being conducted by Praveenkumar More, Range Forest Officer, Bidar.

The Forest Department said the blackbuck is a Schedule-I protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and hunting or killing the animal attracts stringent legal action.

Officials also said the preliminary investigation indicated the involvement of persons from Telangana allegedly equipped with sophisticated long-range rifles. Further investigation is under way to establish the full circumstances of the incident and identify any other persons involved, the official added.