Nagpur MLA: Trap or kill Rajura tiger in 7 days

CHANDRAPUR: Rajura Congress MLA Subhash Dhote on Monday gave a seven-day ultimatum to the forest department to capture or eliminate dreaded tiger RT-1.
Farmers and farm labourers from trouble-torn areas of Rajura and Virur ranges — supported by local organizations and parties — staged a sit-in agitation at Rajura forest range officer’s (RFO) office to press the demand of shooting down the problem tiger.

Dhote is the fourth major people’s representative to voice the demand of killing the problem tiger responsible for eight human kills in neighbouring Rajura and Virur ranges during the last 22 months. Earlier, sitting Congress MP Balu Dhanorkar, three-time former MLA and farmer leader Wamanrao Chatap, and former MLA Sudharshan Nimkar have voiced the demand of killing RT-1.
Dhote addressed the joint sit-in agitation, staged by Shekari-Shetmajur Samanvay Samiti, Gondwana Gantantra Party and Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad, and blamed the forest department for rising attacks on humans. He said forest officials were responsible to safeguard farmers and common people from predators’ attacks, and warned of an agitation at the district collectorate if they failed to capture or shoot down the tiger in the next seven days.
Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Amol Garkal met the protesters and said 200 forest personnel, along with three veterinary doctors and two sharp shooters were deployed to tranquillize and capture the tiger. “160 camera traps have been laid in the area to track the movement and location of the tiger,” he added.
Protesters also voiced the demand of paying Rs25 lakh compensation to the kin of people killed in tiger attacks, Rs15 lakh to injured persons and immediate compensation against cattle and crop loss.