Five Men Apprehended for Poaching Peafowl in Trichy District
Forest department officials made a significant arrest in Trichy district on Monday. They captured five individuals for hunting peafowl near Manapparai. The operation led to the recovery of three dead peafowl and a pea chick from the suspects.
Details of the Accused and Their Equipment
The arrested men hail from Ammankurichi and surrounding villages in Pudukottai district. Their names are A Karuppasamy, S Karthick, M Thirupathi, T Bharathkumar, and S Karuppaiah. They rented a car to travel from their village specifically for hunting purposes.
Authorities found them in possession of a single-barrel country-made gun. They also had mercury-tipped bullets and torch lights. The group intended to hunt both hares and peafowl during their illegal expedition.
How the Arrest Unfolded
The suspects began their hunting activity around 2 am. They chose a location near a private patta coconut farm close to Valanadu pond. This spot lies approximately 2 kilometers from the Valanadu reserve forest.
Valanadu police personnel noticed their parked car at around 4 am. Officers approached the vehicle and questioned the men. During the interrogation, they discovered the dead peafowl, the pea chick, and the illegal weapon.
Police immediately seized all the evidence. They then handed over the suspects to the forest range office in Manapparai for further legal action.
Legal Consequences for the Hunters
Peafowls enjoy protected status under Indian law. Forest officials registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act. The suspects faced judicial proceedings following their arrest.
A magistrate heard the case and remanded all five men to judicial custody. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime in the region.
