Mohali: Two Nayagaon men held for poaching Indian pangolin

The accused have been identified as Kabira and Ramdas, both residents of Devi Colony, Nayagaon; during the search, police recovered 3.05 kg of pangolin scales

The Nayagaon police have arrested two men for allegedly poaching an Indian pangolin, a protected species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The accused in the custody of Nayagaon police in Mohali. (HT Photo)

The accused have been identified as Kabira and Ramdas, both residents of Devi Colony, Nayagaon.

Officials from the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Sub-Regional Office, Amritsar, said they had received specific inputs about individuals involved in poaching and trading pangolin parts in the area. Acting on the information, a joint operation was launched with the Nayagaon police, leading to the duo’s arrest.

3.05 kg of pangolin scales were recovered from the accused. (HT)

During the search, police recovered 3.05 kg of pangolin scales — the animal’s distinctive armour-like covering — from the accused. Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo had hunted the pangolin and removed its scales for illegal trade, as these are in high demand on the black market due to false beliefs about their medicinal properties.