Morung Express News
Kohima | April 21
As investigation of the viral ‘hunting expedition’ progresses, four suspects in the video surrendered to the Wildlife Wing on April 21.
The Chief Wildlife Warden through a press statement said, on April 21, four suspects namely Imchainba Longkumer, Osungkum N Jamir, Yanger Jamir and Opangtemsu have surrendered to the Wildlife Wing.
“This follows investigation by the department into the incident and zeroing down on the suspects in the video celebrating ‘lockdown festival,” the statement informed, adding that despite lacking technical capability, the department using its own resources, traced and identified the culprits in question.
“The video depicts ruthless killing of wild animals including barking deer and large Indian civet cat,” it added
The case is being investigated further as per relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and other relevant laws as applicable.
Meanwhile when enquired if a case had been filed, speaking to The Morung Express, Chief Wildlife Warden, Vedpal Singh said, as per the procedure a ‘preliminary offence report’ would be prepared and submitted to the court and registering of the case as directed by the court.
“It’s just a matter a procedure. A case would be definitely registered” said Singh. He assured that the department is in touch with some lawyers specialized in handling wildlife crime cases to make a foolproof case.
Singh also further maintained that it will go for a foolproof investigation and submit it to the court. The case was among the three videos about hunting went viral in Nagaland recently.
In one of the three videos, people were seen gathering around a large slain stag with their baskets, probably to share the flesh, while in another video, a large python was seen being carried by a man in a bike, and some hunters flaunted their preyed animals killed in two days of their one week hunting expedition in the third video.
Tokaho Kinimi, Wildlife Warden on April 20 had informed that two incidents have been traced.
Kinimi further informed that some of the accused had come forward voluntarily last evening and all accused are cooperating so far.
