Two arrested with leopard skin in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - Two poachers, including a woman, have been arrested and a leopard’s skin seized from them in Uttar Pradeshs Bahraich district, forest officials said Saturday.

Salim, a native of Uttar Pradesh and Toi Devi, hailing from Rajasthan, were nabbed late Friday in the Risia town in Bahraich district, some 270 km from Lucknow, following a joint operation carried out by forest officials and police, they added.

“The two have admitted that they work for a poaching racket being operated from Nepal. Both of the them have been booked under the Wildlife Protection Act,” Divisional Forest Official R.K. Singh told IANS on telephone.

“Killing a leopard is a serious offence under the act and offenders face three to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment if convicted,” he added.

According to police, the two have been into the illegal trade for the last five years.