Blacbuck hunt suspected, 8 held with 13kg meat near toll plaza | Hyderabad News

Blacbuck hunt suspected, 8 held with 13kg meat near toll plaza

Hyderabad: Eight persons were arrested after a joint operation by the police and forest department led to the seizure of around 13 kg of meat suspected to be that of a blackbuck, a protected species, and a weapon near the Raikal toll plaza on Sunday.The accused were intercepted while allegedly transporting the meat in two vehicles, prompting an investigation into a suspected hunting operation. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Arms Act. The accused will be produced before a court.Rangareddy district forest officer Aasheesh Singh said the accused allegedly hunted an animal in Narayanpet district on Sunday morning outside reserved forest areas. The seized meat would be sent for wildlife forensic examination and DNA fingerprinting to establish the species, he said.The Future City special operations team intercepted the two vehicles near the toll plaza and took the suspects to Kothur police station for questioning. Forest officials later reached the station to collect details and assist in the investigation.Singh described the seized weapon as a sporting rifle suspected to have been used for hunting.Eight accused identifiedThe eight accused have been identified as Mohammed Haji Uddin (36), a real estate businessman, and Mir Muqtar Ali (37), a mechanic, both from Edi Bazaar; Mohammed Tajamul (37), a businessman from Charminar; Mir Raza Ali Khan (39), who runs a signboard business, and Qurram Khan (35), a software professional, both from Ramachandrapuram in Sangareddy district; Syed Salman Ali (30), an MBA student from Moghalpura; Mohammed Afroz Khan (36), who is into the solar business, from Shastripuram; and Mohammed Abdul Aziz (33), who works in mobile sales, from Charminar Bus Stand.The forest department has booked a preliminary offence report (POR) and is investigating the case. Police assisted the department with intelligence gathering and the operation. The Shadnagar zone special operations team, under the DCP, also assisted in the operation.Police and forest officials are questioning the suspects to establish the exact location of the hunt and how the meat was transported. The weapon and vehicles seized in connection with the case are also being examined. Officials said further recoveries were expected.