Chikkamagaluru: JD(S) MLC SL Bhojegowda on Monday alleged that Indian gaurs are being poached in the district and their meat smuggled to Keralam. Speaking at the Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) review meeting chaired by district minister KJ George at the ZP office, Bhojegowda claimed that gaur meat is in high demand in the neighbouring state and fetches up to Rs 5,000 per kg.He further alleged that some forest department personnel, including watchers and guards, were involved in the racket. A dedicated gang is active in poaching gaurs, he said, urging the minister to take stringent measures to curb the menace.Responding to the allegations, the minister directed forest department officials to identify those involved and initiate strict action. “Such officials must be shifted and punished if found guilty,” he said. Forest department officials stated that several cases had been registered in connection with gaur poaching and that the situation was being closely monitored.DC Bhanwar Singh Meena, Koppa DCF Shivashankar, and Chikkamagaluru DCF Boraiah were present.No arrests yet in JJM fake agreement case, MLCs question policeMeanwhile, BJP MLC CT Ravi and Bhojegowda criticised the police department and ZP authorities for failing to arrest the accused in the alleged fake agreement scam under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The two MLCs questioned SP Jitender Kumar Dayama during the KDP meeting.In March, former minister DN Jeevaraj had alleged that a single stamp paper was used simultaneously to execute nine separate agreements in NR Pura and Koppa taluks. Another stamp paper number was reportedly linked to 11 different agreements for borewell drilling works. Following the allegations, six FIRs were registered at Koppa, NR Pura and Sringeri police stations. However, no arrests have been made so far, the MLCs said.Sringeri MLA T D Rajegowda said the accused have cheated people.On the status of the investigation, SP Dayama said the department had received the FSL report and prepared the chargesheet, which would be submitted to the court shortly. “We cannot make arrests in cases where the prescribed punishment is less than seven years,” he said.
