The Army has sped up investigation in alleged incident of poaching of three chinkara deers by five Army personnel in the border district of Barmer and asked the forest officials to depose before an Army court of inquiry. The forest authorities in Barmer, however, waited for the five Armymen who were allegedly involved in the hunting of the protected animals for interrogation but none of them appeared before the forest officials.
According to the forest authorities, the five Armymen, attached with the 88 Armoured Workshop unit, had hunted the three chinkaras, or Indian gazelle, in the early hours of Friday in the desert area and taken them to their camp to cook meat. On the villagers’ complaint, the forest officials reached the spot and recovered the uncooked meat. The forest officials had called five Armymen for interrogation on Sunday but they did not turn up.
The Army authorities said they have taken the issue seriously and already ordered a court of inquiry. “The Army court of inquiry is progressing fast,” an Army spokesperson said, adding, “The witnesses have been examined and we are waiting for forest and civil officials to depose in this regard.”
The forest authorities again issued a notice to the Army officials on Sunday and called them for investigations. The forest officials have registered a case under the Wildlife Act.
The Army officials said the Army has been extending full cooperation to the forest authorities and assured it will continue doing so for the case to come to a logical conclusion. “The Army is fully equipped to deal with the allegations against its persons and to take punitive measure in case the allegations are proved,” said the spokesperson. “We need cooperation from the forest officials by way of furnishing evidence with them,” said an Army officer. “If any Army personnel is found guilty in the court of inquiry, disciplinary action will be taken as per the law of land,” he added. The incident came to light when the Army was busy with its winter war exercise in the desert.