Seven held in bid to sell tiger skin

A seven-member gang was arrested for allegedly attempting to sell tiger skin, teeth and claws in a joint operation carried out by forest officials and the Forest Vigilance Wing in Kannur district. The arrests followed a raid conducted at Kathiroor in Thalassery taluk based on specific intelligence inputs.

A team led by Kottiyoor Range Officer Nithinraj T., along with the Kannur Forest Vigilance Unit, carried out the operation under the directions of Kannur Divisional Forest Officer V. Vysakh. In the first phase, officials arrested N. Ashwin of Eruvatti, Sandeesh P.M., and C. Balan of Cheruvanchery at Kathiroor. They reportedly seized tiger skin, teeth and claws, along with a scooter allegedly used to transport the wildlife contraband.

During follow-up questioning, officials arrested four more accused — K.K. Sharath of Kallikandi, Rajeesh Kadachi of Mangad, V.K. Vithul of Cheruvanchery, and T.P. Rakhi of Malal. The team also seized a car allegedly used to transport the tiger body parts.

All the accused were produced before the Thalassery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court.