A team of forest and police officials led by West Siang Divisional Forest Officer(DFO) Abhinav Kumar on Friday arrested two accused, Tatu Kiri and Sunil Kiri, in connection with wild animal hunting.
The accused were produced before the Executive Magistrate and a case filed in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate here under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The DFO said that after receiving information from local sources about hunting and sale of local wild meats, the team raided a roadside shop near Hirgo village in Shi-Yomi district and found a large Indian civet displayed for sale.
“During the joint operation it was found that the shop located on the way to Mechuka was owned by one Tatu Kiri,” the DFO said.
Mechuka Range Forest Officer Marbom Sora had earlier visited the shop posing as a customer looking for wild meat to trap the hunters.
Sora said that after waiting for almost an hour, a group of local visitors came to the shop and one of them was seen carrying a large Indian civet hidden inside a basket.
“At this point of time, entire team of officials came to the scene and arrested the culprits and took custody of the civet,” he said.