Habitual offender involved in wildlife crimes detained under Goondas Act in Erode
E. Murugesan (47) of Michaelpalayam in Anthiyur taluk, was found to have hunted wildlife with a firearm in the Anthiyur forest range and attempted to trap animals using snares in the Chennampatti forest range. He was arrested on June 20 under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. As he was repeatedly involved in forest and wildlife offences, and to prevent further such activities, District Collector S. Kandasamy ordered his detention under the Goondas Act, based on a recommendation from K.V. Appala Naidu, District Forest Officer, Erode Forest Division.
A release said that persons repeatedly engaging in forest offences—such as killing wildlife using country-made bombs, snares, traps, illegal electric fences (electrocution), or hunting with unlicensed firearms—would face action under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act and Section 50 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Such offenders will be detained under the Goondas Act to ensure they remain in custody without bail. The release also urged those illegally possessing country-made guns for wildlife hunting to voluntarily surrender them at the respective forest range offices.
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