Man arrested for skinning bear in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: In the wake of a horrific picture portraying the brutalization by four persons of a Himalayan black bear, also known as Asiatic and Tibetan bear went viral, a man allegedly connected with the crime was arrested in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya on Wednesday.
The pictures which went viral evoking outrage in the social media was that of a pregnant bear being skinned alive by four persons with smoke emanating from the background.The majestic animal had her tongue out, portraying that she was in utmost pain even as her human killers were jeering.
According to official sources, the bear was brutalized on May 4 last at Mawpyrthuh village in Pynursla sub-division of the state.
Taking cue from the brutal scene in the social media, the state forest officials went to the area of the incident and nabbed one of the culprits with the help of the local police.
State Home and Forest Minister Lahkmen Rymbui informed that one of the poachers was arrested and investigation into the case was on, even as he added that the accused would be booked under relevant sections of the Wild Life Protection) Act, 1972.
Incidents of killing of wild animals have been reported from remote villages in the state during the ongoing lockdown, forest officials said, adding that fishes too were being trapped indiscriminately in certain areas.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has sounded a clear caution that if anyone hunts animals in the State, the law will hunt them down.
This statement comes from the Home Minister in the wake of cases of poaching of endangered animals like the Asiatic black bear, barking deer and other protected animals coming to the fore.
Making it ampky clear that strict action will be taken which amounts to 7 years imprisonment and fine upto Rs 25,000, the Minister said that the State government is aware of it and has confiscated two country made guns, deer meat and arrested one individual in connection with poaching recently.
The minister has urged villagers and the citizens in general to refrain from poaching.