MYSURU, 11 APRIL   

Nagarahole forest authorities have suspended two elephant handlers of Cauvery elephant camp for helping a private person to poach wildlife in the second week of March.

Hunsur Wildlife sub Division range forest officer Subramanya has lodged a complaint against the three, urging the senior forest department officials to take stern action against them.  

The incident came to light when the forest department officials spotted the gun, bullets and other equipment used to poach deer, other wildlife secretly by a trio accused at a quarters built of elephant handlers at Doddaharave elephant camp on 18 March. This gun belongs to the main accused Manju of Neralakuppe village. 

During the internal investigation conducted by the forest department officials headed Hunsur wildlife sub division assistant conservator of forests Lakshmikanth, the mahuts HN Manju and DB Manju confessed about helping the main accused Manju of Neralakuppe village of Periyapatna taluk to poach sambars, deers and other wildlife for its meat, selling along with him. 

Speaking to reporters, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve PA Seema said that her department has initiated to take serious action against the guilty mahuts besides also launched a manhunt to nab Manju of DB Kuppe village of Periyapatna taluk who is on the run after a complaint lodged against him along with other two accused, she said.