Forest team nabs 7 with weapons in Mhow forests:Officials fear poaching, accused claim buried wealth search; patrolling beefed up

Forest officials have detained seven men from the Malendi forests in Mhow late Monday night and recovered a sword, a country-made firearm and live cartridges. Officers said the circumstances indicated a possible intent of illegal hunting, a concern amplified after a leopard was recently found mutilated in the Double Chowki forest area. Suspicious group found in Leopard–Tiger zone Following intensified patrolling, the Mhow Range team acted on a tip-off around 8.30 pm, alerting them to unusual movement near Nandiwar village. A patrol team cordoned off the area and found a group of men sitting around a fire deep inside the forest. As the team approached, one of the suspects allegedly tried to throw an object into the bushes. A thorough search led to the recovery of a sword, a country-made pistol and five live cartridges. The detained individuals were identified as Devkaran, Vikas, Mohit, Sekhar, Visaprem and Ravi, all residents of Katkat Kheri. Another man, Lokesh, a resident of Malendi, was also taken into custody for questioning. Officials noted that the area where they were caught is active leopard territory and also sees tiger movement, with a tiger census scheduled in the region next week. Accused claim they came to retrieve ‘buried wealth’ During questioning, the men claimed they had come to dig out ‘ancestral buried wealth’ and were carrying weapons only for protection from wild animals. However, officers pointed out that entering a protected forest with weapons is an offence in itself. No digging tools were found at the site, further strengthening the suspicions of hunting intent. Bail granted, wildlife crime probe underway The seven accused were produced in Mhow court on Tuesday, where they were granted bail. Ranger Nayan Palvi said a preliminary wildlife offence has been registered, and further investigation will determine the purpose of their presence and the use of the recovered weapons. Patrolling stepped up across ranges after mutilated leopard case In the wake of the leopard being found with its paws and claws removed, the Indore Forest Division has intensified night patrols across all ranges. Teams are conducting searches for wire snares, trap lines, hidden weapons and unauthorised movement inside the forests. Any suspicious activity near forest areas is being taken seriously. A wildlife offence has been registered and an investigation is underway, said Pradeep Mishra, DFO, Indore Forest Division. The department has urged local villagers to immediately report suspicious movements, especially with winter months seeing a spike in illegal hunting attempts.