Himachal Pradesh government has initiated probe in the lynching of a leopard in the forest area in Joginder Nagar.
Expressing deep concern over the brutal lynching of the leopard, Forest Minister, Thakur Singh Bharmouri informed Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday that the probe had already been launched in the incident that occurred on March 23.
Before this, the assembly expressed concern over the incident of lynching of a fully grown leopard, when the matter was brought up in the assembly through a Calling Attention motion by BJP legislator, Gulab Singh Thakur.
Replying to the matter, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri said that leopards were placed in schedule-1 species and its killing was prohibited under Wild life Animal Protection Act 1972.
He said that Sanay Kumar, Vice-president of Ropri Gram Panchayat had informed Forest department about the alleged incident of leopard lynching, and the cadaver of lynched leopard was found in Bhaboridhar area of Jogindernagar on March 23.
Deputy Range Officer Daledh Pawan Kumar visited the spot and found a lynched leopard's body without head and tail. He told that the leopards neck had marks as if it was killed by tightering some wire around it's neck besides injuries of sharp weapon.
Bharmouri told that a FIR had been regisetered at police station Jogindernagar under Sec 51 of Wildlife Conservation Act 1972 and around 25 to 30 people had been interrogated in the matter till now. Assuring house of stringent action against the brute culprits, Bharmouri said that the guilty would not be spared and the investigation would be expedited if required.
He also said that a special committee had been constituted to consign the deceased animal to the forest of ladbhadoa.