MH-TIGER-ARRESTS

Decomposed tiger carcass found in Maha, cattle owner held
    Chandrapur, Jan 12 (PTI) Two people were arrested
after a highly decomposed tiger carcass was found on Saturday
in Bramhapuri Forest Division of Maharashtra's Chandrapur
district, officials said.
    The body of the tiger was found in compartment no 1179
in Mudza beat of Bhooj Round under Bramhapuri Forest Range.
with its claws and head missing, and officials had called it a
case of poaching.
    "Bajirao Narayan Mashakhetre and Rakesh Laxman Zade
were arrested on Sunday for poisoning the tiger. Mashakhetre
is the owner of a cow that was found dead near the site where
the tiger carcass was recovered. We believe the cow was
poisoned and the tiger died after consuming it," an official
said.
    Zade, a shepherd, cut the big cat's head and claws,
the official said, adding the head was found hidden 500 metres
away while the claws had been dumped in a nullah.
    "Zade has named Yashvant Bhobhate of Mudza village as
an accomplice. Hunt is on for him," he added.
    A Mul court sent them to jail till January 20. PTI COR
BNM BNM

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)