Tsewang Rigzin
LEH: The case of poaching of a blue sheep that came to fore in the Gya-Meru area on 11th is becoming mysterious with one person, believed by many to be one of the witnesses, allegedly committing suicide few days after the incident.
After more than a week of the poaching case being on the public domain, SSP Leh, Udhaya Bhaskar Billa on Monday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Dy.SP DAR Leh, Tashi Phuntsog in order to ensure speedy and proper investigation of the case FIR No: 93/2016 registered with Police Station Leh under Section 8/51 Wildlife Protection Act.
While confirming the suicide case of a 52 year old person in the area, SSP Leh told the media it would be incorrect to say that he was a witness. “We have initiated inquest proceedings of the suspicious death,” he added.
He acknowledged that police learnt about the case of the poaching on 11th December from local people who were travelling on Manali-Leh Road and claimed that police immediately alerted all check posts after the information.
“We recorded the statements of people travelling in the bus,” SSP informed while adding that investigation is under progress. He also confirmed that the death of the blue sheep was due to bullet wound. “We are still in search of the recovery of the bullet in the vicinity”.
Earlier on Saturday a delegation from Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) Leh met Chairman LAHDC, Dr Sonam Dawa, Chief Conservator for Forest and Wildlife, Ladakh Region, Jigmet Takpa, SSP Leh, Udhaya Bhaskar Billa and Additional Deputy Commissioner Leh, Moses to request for a speedy and impartial inquiry into the case.
LBA Spokesperson, P.T Kunzang alleged that the case was not being investigated seriously. “Even after five days police have no progress on the case,” he alleged at a press conference on Saturday. LBA raised concern over alleged suicide of the person who was believed to be one of the witnesses. PT Kunzang said since the incident took place in broad daylight and no progress has yet been made, LBA suspects the hands of influential persons. The organisation demanded that whosoever is involved must be brought to book. Delay in solving the case would compel LBA to mobilise the public to protest, Kunzang warned.
Another voluntary organisation called Conservation of Wildlife and Birds Clubs has also raised concerned over the poaching case of the blue sheep and urged authorities to bring the culprit to book and serve them with exemplary punishment.
It is said that five people travelling in an Innova car had shot down a blue sheep in the Gya-Meru area on Leh-Manali Road but when a public bus from area bound for Leh arrived, poachers managed to escape.
According to sources some passengers guarded the body of the blue sheep while rest of the passengers travelled towards Leh to inform the police at Kharu. Police has not yet been able to trace the car and whereabouts of the culprits. However, SSP Leh assured that a thorough investigation is being conducted in search of the culprits.