The Wildlife Wing of the Meghalaya forest department with the help of police arrested a person on Tuesday on charges of killing an Asiatic black bear.
This has been confirmed by Meghalaya home minister Lahkmen Rymbui.
Regarding the killing of Asiatic Black Bear 1 person have been arrested by the by the Wild Life Wing Forests Dept. with the help of police. Further investigation is on
— Lahkmen Rymbui (@LahkmenR) May 5, 2020
A picture of three hunters displaying an Asiatic black bear, which they killed in a jungle, went viral on social media.
The picture with a caption written in Khasi explained that the full-grown bear was caught by the residents of Mawpyrthuh village under East Khasi Hills district on May 4.
However, the authenticity of the pictures could not be confirmed whether the slaughtering of the bear took place in Mawpyrthuh village or any other place in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong said those involved in killing the bear would be dealt as per the Wildlife Act.
He urged people to lodge an FIR if they come across killing of wildlife animals.
Home minister Rymbui also tweeted: “Regarding the viral photo circulated in social media about the reported killing of Asiatic Black Bear, the DFO Wildlife has sent officers to enquire and if true take cognizance of the offence under Wild life (Protection) Act 1972 under section 51 will be taken. Save Wildlife.”
Regarding the viral photo circulated in social media about the reported killing of Asiatic Black Bear, the DFO Wild life has sent Officers to enquire and if true take cognizance of the offence under Wild life (Protection) Act 1972 under section 51 will be taken. Save Wildlife.
— Lahkmen Rymbui (@LahkmenR) May 5, 2020
The picture of slaughtering the bear surfaced days after forest officials seized a large haul of Sambar deer meat, carcass of a freshly-killed civet cat and two weapons from Nongkhyllem Reserve Forest in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district.