Assam: Sivasagar forest team arrests 6 for killing two adult Asian elephants

The elephant is a Schedule I species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

A case has been registered by Sivasagar Forest Range under Sivasagar Territorial Forest Division against all the six accused of violation of the provisions of the section- 9 R/W section-2 (16) and (35) and section-52 and punishable as per the section-51 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 along with Assam Amendment Act 2009.

The arrested persons accused of causing death of the two elephants by laying illegal electric fencing around an area of illegal cultivation of rabi crop in Digholdorioli grazing land.

All the six accused persons were apprehended on Dec 26, on the day of detection of the wildlife offence by Forest team from Sivasagar Forest Division and arrested on Dec 27 after thorough interrogation.

They were produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Sivasagar and sent to judicial custody.

Material evidence was seized from the field while a preliminary report by Veterinary Officer conducting on spot post-mortem showed signs of electrocution in both the elephants.

It may be noted that the Wildlife (Protection) Assam Amendment Act 2009 provides enhanced punishment as well as penalty and is triable in Sessions Court.