Pangolin hunters arrested by Telangana Forest Dept
- Pangolin hunting and trade of scales in Kothagudem district
On 12-06-2020 late evening around 6:00 PM, two persons reached Yellandu crossroads on the bike and as planned over the phone, handed over a white polythene cover to FDO WLM (undercover Purchaser) which had 445 gm of pangolin scales. During this process, both of them were trapped and were taken into custody by a team of forest officials. The Culprits were brought to the Kothagudem Division office for further inquiry.
During the investigation, the culprits revealed their identity as Sai Manikanta, (Occupation: Student) and Shabbir, (Occupation: Student, completed degree) both resident of N jagganadhapuram, Mukalpalli Mandal. Sai Manikanta informed that Ashok informed him over the phone to collect a parcel from his (Ashok’s) home in Jinnealgudem of Mulkalapalli Mandal, from his (Ashok’s) mother (Geeta) and to meet Shabbir. Ashok also informed Shabbir over the phone to collect parcel which will be brought by Sai Manikanta and proceed to Yellandu crossroads and hand over the parcel to a person ( FDO WLM, undercover purchaser) and in turn collect money. Based on Ashok’s directions Shabbir called FDO WLM (undercover purchaser) and finalized location. Both, Shabbir and Sai Manikanta were trapped during this operation.
In the early morning of 13-06-2020 a team lead by FDO WLM, Kinnarsani raided the house of Ashok in Jinnelagudem of Rachanna GP of Mulkalapalli Mandal. Upon inquiry, Ashok’s mother (Konapakula Geeta W/O late Seenu Occupation: Self-employed) revealed that she had purchased these scales form their neighbors Payam Babu Rao s/o Bangaru, Payam Nagamani w/o Babu Rao, and Uke Chinnraju alias (Bojji) s/o Laxmudu all resident of Rachannagudem for Rs. 3000 and handed over to Sai Manikanta.
Further, the enquiry revealed that they had killed Pangolin while passing through a forest area near Jinnelagudem ( Mulkalapalli range) four months back and removed scales after boiling the dead pangolin, while the meat was eaten by three of them on the same day. The further process is being followed to produce the culprits before Hon’ble Court and for seeking remand of the Culprits.