RAIPUR: What began as a rescue turned into a hunt in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district, where villagers allegedly killed and consumed a spotted deer after saving it from a pack of dogs. The incident took place in Delari village under the Raigarh forest division, where a spotted deer strayed into the village from nearby forests in search of food and water. Soon after entering the habitat, the animal was chased and injured by a pack of dogs. Officials said that some villagers first drove away the dogs and rescued the injured animal. However, they later allegedly killed the deer and distributed its meat among themselves. Alleged deer meat samples sent for forensic examinationActing on a tip-off that venison was being consumed in several houses, a forest department team conducted raids and recovered pieces of deer meat from five homes. Samples have been sent for forensic examination. Five accused – Atmaram Rathia, Mayaram Rathia, Haricharan Sao, Tarun Agaria and Motilal Agaria – were detained and later arrested after they allegedly confessed to the offense during questioning. Raigarh forest division SDO Tanmay Kaushik said information was received that deer meat was being consumed in four to five households, following which immediate action was carried out. “Remains of the animal were recovered from five houses and samples have been sent for testing. Further action will be taken based on the report,” he said. A case has been registered against the accused under sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. All five were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody. Forest officials said the case highlights the vulnerability of wild animals straying into human settlements amid rising pressure on forest resources. TNN
