3 arrested for killing spotted deer

Three persons were arrested for killing two spotted deer at the Kartaniya Ghat Forest Reserve in Bahraich district on Friday. The carcasses of the animals were recovered from them.

“We arrested the three near the Bichiyabeet region of the forest reserve,but five of their accomplices managed to escape,” Divisional Forest Officer R K Singh said. The arrested men were identified as Kanched,Rajendra and Anup — all from Bahraich district.

They have confessed to have been killing spotted deer for the last five years to supply its meat and skin to clients in various districts of Uttar Pradesh,Singh added.

Spotted deer,popularly known as Chital,is the most common deer specie found in Indian forests. Under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972,injuring or killing a spotted deer is an offence. There are an estimated 6,000 deer in the 400-sq km Kartaniya Ghat Forest Reserve.