CM rules out judicial probe

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 7. The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, has ruled out a judicial probe into the tiger-killing in the Nehru Zoological Park here on the plea that two inquiries are into the `uncivilised and inhuman act' one departmental by the Forest Department and the other by the CB CID.

Mr. Naidu visited the zoo this morning, accompanied by the Ministers for Forests and Roads and Buildings - Messrs Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu and K. Vijayarama Rao - and straightaway drove to the scene of offence abutting the enclosure of `Saki,' the poached tigress. After going around the enclosure where three other tigers were a frightened lot, the Chief Minister said that the results of the inquiries were expected within a few days when severe action would be taken against the guilty.

The Chief Minister was appalled to see the blood- stained rocks on which the poachers had skinned the animal, and said he had strongly suspected the hand of the staff but for whose ``complicity'' the skinning operation, possibly done by a professional lasting for a few hours, would not have been possible. Chances of outsiders carrying on the operation without the cooperation of somebody who knew the topography and `in' and `out' of the zoo were remote, he contended.

The enclosure lies on the bank of Mir Alam Tank but safari and the lake are separated by a 20-ft high fence. Going by the `disturbance' caused to the top branches of a tree piercing into the fence from outside, the Chief Minister felt that the culprits might have gained entry from the tank side but decamping was made through zoo. He complained against `lapses and loopholes' on the part of officials, saying that the incident was brought to light at 11 am next day and it was reported to the police only around 6 pm. He himself came to know about it only in the morning. Under no circumstances would the offenders, however big they might be, be left scot-free. Answering questions from reporters, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu referred to two similar incidents in the State cited by them - Marlakunta and Kolleti Kota - and said he would ensure safety of wild animals by amending the existing Wildlife Protection Act, if necessary.

As far as the Nehru Zoological Park was concerned, he said, its security and safety aspects would be reviewed and suitable steps taken.

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Section  : Southern States
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