Udaipur police with Special Task Force arrested 2 accused for possessing panther skins with an intention to sell them off at high prices. Based on tip off the accused were arrested from Shiksha Bhawan circle on Tuesday.

The accused identified as Prabhu lal Brahman (50) of Sayra village and Ganesh Nagda (30) of Gogunda were booked under sections of 39, 49 B and 51 of Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972 while the skins were confiscated from them.

SP Ajaypal Lamba informed that the arrested men revealed about getting the skin from other accused identified as Jeeta Ram Bheel, Kishan Bheel, Shanker Gameti and Ramesh Bheel of Kelwada area of Rajsamand District to sell off in the market.

The arrested accused informed that the 4 men used to monitor vigilantly in areas with frequent movement of panthers and set snares at night. Once the animal got caught, they used to beat it mercilessly making it unconscious and then peel off the skin in order to keep it fresh for a long time.

Lamba further added that the absence of a mark, injury or any cut on the skin would yield them handsome return in the international market. The method used by the men to tear off the skin indicates long experience in the trade, he said.

The police is interrogating the accused arrested and the search has begun of the 4 men whose names came out in the investigation. Their arrest would enable police to disclose the syndicate of panther skin smuggling.

Police will coordinate with the forest department for the examination of the panther skins to estimate the cost, said SP.