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Investigators suspect insiders'
involvement in poaching

Onkar Singh

Investigators looking into the killing of five elephants in the Jim Corbett Park in the last couple of months suspect the involvement of an insider.

The five tuskers were killed on December 7, December 29, February 5, February 8 and February 10 at various locations in the park.

The poachers, according to the park's director Dr P C Joshi, have adopted a new technique of immobilising the elephants with poisoned arrows and then chopping off their heads to retrieve the precious ivory.

He said such technique is also used by poachers in West Bengal and Assam. "We have strong suspicion that the poachers here have taken the help of outside elements."

A special investigation team under Additional SP Mohan Singh has now been constituted to gather intelligence from 300 odd villages within the park.

SP (operations) G S Martolia said they are not ruling out the involvement of some disgruntled elements who might have been suspended from service recently.

"We are also looking at the possible involvement of a poacher from Haridwar recently released from jail after serving a one-year sentence. The Terai region has always been giving us problems and the area between Kalaghad and Kot Dwar is one such area of worry," he said.

Principal Conservator of Forest Nirmal Kumar Joshi denied allegations that there has been laxity on the part of the forest officials. "It is true we came to know about poaching of elephants on December 29 last year. We could not prevent these incidents because the national park is spread over 1,300 km and we have a staff of only 250 people," he said.

Four companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, local police and forest guards are now combing the area and all 11 exit points have been sealed to prevent the poachers from escaping, Joshi said.

He, however, denied that the gang has been identified, but said he is aware of three or four people are involved.

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