The Bikaner police in Rajasthan arrested six individuals, including four from Punjab’s Muktsar district, for allegedly hunting a deer, firing at the police team and attacking some locals while trying to escape. Their arrest came after a dramatic 60-kilometer chase, aided by local residents. A shocking video of the incident has gone viral, showing policemen and locals chasing and beating the suspects after catching them.
Video Viral On Instagram
The video was shared on the animal activist account “streetdogsofbombay” on Instagram with the details of the incident. It stated, “Six hunters from Punjab were recently arrested for illegally hunting deer in Rajasthan’s Bikaner after a dramatic 60-kilometer chase. A shocking viral video shows the accused even firing at the police before being restrained.”
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It further stated, “The Bishnoi community, known for their deep love and protection of wildlife, has strongly condemned this act and is demanding strict action against the poachers. Protesters in Bikaner even surrounded the police station, calling for justice and accountability.”
The post further read, “Illegal hunting is a crime against nature, and those responsible must face the harshest punishment to set an example. The forest belongs to its rightful inhabitants, not those who seek to destroy it! We stand with the Bishnoi community in their fight to protect our wildlife.”
Details About The Viral Video
The video shows that the police finally catches the accused who are seen trying to escape in an open Jeep and in a Fortuner SUV. However, the police stops them after a long chase and thrashes the two accused with sticks as they are seen sitting in the Jeep after being stopped.
Other accused are also seen receiving treatment from a team of few police personnel. They are seen thrashing them while they are trying to flee by running in the open ground. The police then arrested them and took them to the police station, where the people belonging to the Bishnoi community protested at the police station demanding strict action against all the accused.
Weapons Recovered and Criminal Cases Filed
The police have registered four criminal cases against the accused at Bajju, Ranjeetpura and Hadan police stations. Additionally, the Forest Department has filed a case for illegal hunting. During the arrest, the police recovered a 12-bore double-barrel gun, a .22 rifle, a pistol, 189 live cartridges and one empty shell from the suspects. The incident reportedly occurred on March 1.
Who Are the Accused?
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
Snehbeer Singh (Ramnagar village, near Malout), a close relative of a former SAD MLA from Kotkapura
Harjit Singh (Killianwali village)
Sahil Kataria (Malout)
Sukhwant Singh (Malout)
Sukhjeet Singh and Gurkirat Singh (Gharsana, Rajasthan)
The seventh suspect is a minor
Public Outrage and Bishnoi Community’s Protest
The Bishnoi community, known for its commitment to wildlife protection, has strongly condemned this act. Following the incident, locals staged a violent protest outside the Bajju police station and shut down their businesses, demanding strict action against the poachers.
