Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Belthangady, Feb 15: In a rare wildlife crime, Belthangady police arrested four individuals who were allegedly hunting turtles illegally in the Somavati river to prepare a dish for their grandmother’s tithi (death anniversary rituals) ceremony.

The accused had reportedly arrived in Belthangady on February 13 to participate in the post-funeral rituals of their grandmother, identified as Devamma.

According to sources, the relatives planned to prepare a turtle dish, said to be Devamma’s favourite, as part of the tithi observances. On February 14, they went to the Somavati river to hunt turtles for the ceremonial meal.

Acting on credible information, a police team led by sub-inspector Anand M conducted a raid at around 3:30 pm on February 14. The four accused were apprehended while attempting to cook the turtles on the riverbank. Four turtles, which had been killed and partially burnt, were seized.

The accused and the seized turtles were handed over to the Belthangady Range forest department for further investigation. A formal mahajar was conducted by the forest officials after taking custody from the police. Following inquiries, notices were issued to the accused to appear before the court, and they were released later that night.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Beltangady sub-divisional DySP Rohini C K and inspector B G Subbapura Math, with a team led by sub-inspector Anand M and assisted by ASI Kushalappa, head constables Pramod, Pampapati and Prakash, staff members Shwetha and Savitha, along with Belthangady Range forest officer Thyagaraj, DRFO Kiran Patil, Sandeep, beat foresters Parashurama Meti and Divakar, and driver Kushalappa Gowda.

The incident highlights strict enforcement of wildlife protection laws in Beltangady, even during traditional ceremonies, underscoring the vigilance of both police and forest authorities.