Nine arrested for blackbuck poaching in Narayanpet, meat and rifle seized

Nine men were arrested on Monday for allegedly poaching a blackbuck in the Marikal forest area near Narayanpet and transporting its meat towards Hyderabad, police said.

The suspects were intercepted near the Raikal toll plaza in a joint operation by Shadnagar police, the Special Operations Team (SOT) Shadnagar and Forest Department officials. About 13 kg of meat was recovered from them.

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. A country-made gun was also recovered from the house of one of the accused.

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

A preliminary enquiry indicated that the group had travelled to the Marikal forest area, where the animal was hunted, and was allegedly carrying the meat to Hyderabad when the teams stopped them.

Police said the case was detected within 24 hours through the coordinated operation. A case has been 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 associated with the Forest Department's role in the case. Further investigation is underway.