MUMBAI, July 28: Environment and Forest Minister Chandrakant Khaire today told the State Legislature that a member of a special vigilance team established to curb poaching in Tadoba tiger sanctuary in Chandrapur, was murdered on May 1, 1998 by a colleague.Khaire, in a written reply to a related question in the Assembly, said, "Vinod Sidam, a member of the special vigilance team, was murdered by another member of team, Arvind Jumanke, on May 14, 1998. A case has been registered against the latter and investigations are on."
To another question, the Minister said three poachers from Madhya Pradesh were arrested in the sanctuary on April 23, 1998. They have been remanded to judicial custody.
Khaire also informed the House that 220 pieces of animal horns weighing 66 kg had been seized in a raid on a bus in Nagpur. "The case is being investigated further," the Environment Minister said.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
