'BECAUSE OF LOCKDOWN, NO RICE WAS LEFT,' HUNTERS KILL 12-FEET LONG KING COBRA FOR MEAL

In a shocking case, a video is currently going viral where a group of hunters can be seen with a 12-feet-long King Cobra on their neck, that they killed for a feast in Arunachal Pradesh. 

The three men are heard claiming that they killed the reptile in the jungle amid the ongoing lockdown. “Because of the lockdown, no rice was left. I was hungry and felt like eating meat and so went to the jungle. Government officials please don’t get offended, we usually don’t do this,” one of the three persons can be heard saying in the video. 

Soon after the video went viral, senior forest officials in Itanagar came into action and confirmed about the incident. They said that the three men who killed and consumed the snake, have been identified. 

“A forest team went to the place to inquire and was able to verify the snake had been killed and consumed. The forest personnel had to retreat as local residents surrounded them. The main accused who is from Kurung Kumey district is absconding,” Arunachal deputy chief wildlife warden Umesh Kumar told Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, speaking to the Arunachal Times, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that strict action will be taken against those who indulge in illegal hunting of wildlife. However, the state government dismissed the claim saying, "the state has at least three months stock at all places and is providing free ration to those who lost their livelihood."

A case under the Wildlife Protection Act has been filed against them, officials said.

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Clarification: There is no shortage of rice in AP. The state has atleast three months stock at all places & is providing free ration to those who lost their livelihood. Around 20000 people have been provided free ration till date. @PemaKhanduBJP @ndtv

— ARUNACHAL IPR (@ArunachalDIPR) April 20, 2020