Bettiah: Forest officials arrested two alleged poachers red-handed on Tuesday night while they were attempting to set up an illegal electrocution trap inside the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) near Thadhi Ratitola village in West Champaran district.The arrested men have been identified as Kundan Kumar, son of Bhadai Ram, and Lav Kumar, son of Mohan Mahto, both residents of Thadhi Ratitola village.Valmikinagar forest range officer Satyam Kumar said the arrests were made during a routine night patrol. A team comprising forester Suraj Ram and forest guards Kundan Kumar and Shubham Kumar, along with other personnel, spotted the accused connecting a naked wire to an 11,000-volt electricity pole. The wire was being extended deep into the forest to electrocute wild animals.“We caught both on the spot while they were preparing the trap. Following interrogation, the accused were sent to judicial custody. The two poachers are suspected to be habitual offenders involved in wildlife trafficking and other forest-related crimes,” Kumar said.The forest department has launched a special operation to track down other poachers linked to the incident. Authorities reiterated that strict action will be taken against illegal activities threatening wildlife.
