Nine held for hunting blackbuck, 13 kg meat and rifle seized

Nine persons were apprehended on Monday (September 28) for hunting a blackbuck in the Marikal forest area near Narayanpet and transporting around 13 kg of its meat to Hyderabad.

The suspects were intercepted near Raikal Toll Plaza in a joint operation by Shadnagar police, SOT Shadnagar and Forest Department officials. A .315 rifle fitted with a telescopic sight and silencer, 19 rounds of ammunition, two vehicles, eight smartphones, a camera, two torch lights and ₹28,590 in cash were seized from them. A country made gun was also seized from the house of an accused.

Those apprehended were M.D. Haji Uddin, 36, and Meer Mukhtar Ali, 37, from Edi Bazar; M.D. Tajamul, 37, and M.D. Abdul Aziz, 33, from Charminar; Meer Raza Ali Khan, 39, and Khurram Khan, 35, from Ramachandrapuram; Syed Salman Ali, 30, from Moghalpura, M.D. Afroz Khan, 36, from Shastripuram in Rajendranagar, and M.D. Riyaz, 28, from Utkoor in Mahabubnagar.

A preliminary enquiry indicated that the group had allegedly travelled to the Marikal forest area, where the blackbuck was hunted. They were allegedly transporting its meat towards Hyderabad when the teams intercepted them.

Police said the case was detected within 24 hours through a coordinated operation involving Shadnagar police, SOT and Forest Department officials.

A case was registered under Sections 9, 39, 50, 51 and 57 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and Section 30 of the Arms Act.

Shadnagar DCP C. Sirisha Raghavendra appreciated the teams involved in the operation. Ranga Reddy District DFO Shiv Aasheesh Singh was also involved from the Forest Department. Further investigation is underway.