As the death of tigress Avni in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district last week continues to create a furore, Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has sought to counter the allegations made by Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who has called the tigress’ death “nothing but a straight case of crime”.
In an interview with The Quint, Mungantiwar pointed out that with regard to the incident, all procedures were legally carried out as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA) guidelines.
The 'man-eating' tigress, Avni, (officially known as T1), said to be responsible for 14 deaths in Maharashtra's Yavatmal, was shot dead on the night 2 November after a massive operation spanning two months.
‘Shooter Asgar Ali Was Authorised to be on the Team’: Mungantiwar
Following reports of the tigress's death, Maneka Gandhi lashed out at the forest minister, saying that the shooter Asgar Ali “illegally” murdered the tigress.
Refuting Gandhi’s claims, Mungantiwar said the shooter Asgar Ali, son of well-known shooter Nawab Shafath Ali Khan, was authorised to be on the team carrying out the operation.
“There were no specific instructions anywhere that the tiger can only be tranquilised/shot during daylight and not at night. Nawab (Shaftath Ali Khan) was in Bihar the night of the incident. His son was authorised to be on the team.”Sudhir Mungantiwar, Maharashtra Forest Minister, to The Quint
Mungantiwar said the entire team was present on the night of the incident, indicating that the veterinary doctor was also present.
He also added that Gandhi, who criticised his department on social media, did so without having full knowledge of the matter.
“The operation took place after a detailed a report was sent to both SC and High Court. When both the courts pronounced the tigress as a man-eating animal, and ordered that execution can take place given the situation, they why are such allegations made?”Sudhir Mungantiwar, Maharashtra Forest Minister
‘Tried Our Best to Capture Avni Alive’: Shooter Asgar Ali
Meanwhile, the shooter Asgar Ali maintained that he shot the tigress in self-defence and denied the “trigger-happy allegations” levelled against him.
“Tigress Avni was darted five times in two years, but couldn’t be tranquilised. The locals spotted her and we went with the intention that no human should be killed. The forest official fired a tranquilising dart but she charged at our vehicle, an open gypsy. I shot her in self-defence.”Shooter Asgar Ali, as quoted by ANI
He maintained that efforts were made to capture and save the tigress over a period of two years, adding that this time around too, the team tried its best to capture the animal alive.
Earlier, speaking to The News Minute, Asgar Ali had expressed sadness over the killing, saying, “What kind of satisfaction can one get by killing the national animal?”
Maneka Gandhi Asks Maha CM to Remove Forest Minister
After her her tweets, Maneka Gandhi also asked Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to “remove” state forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar from his post, calling him a “liability” and accusing him of issuing orders to shoot tigress T1 in Pandharkawada, allegedly without any effort to tranquilise her, The Times of India reported on Tuesday.
Gandhi also said a petition is being readied to be presented in court against T1’s “murder”.
News18 reported that Maneka wrote another letter to Fadnavis, reiterating her demand of removing Mungantiwar.
Responding to Gandhi’s reported demand, Mungantiwar told the channel, “I will resign if what I am saying about the SC order is wrong. Else she (Maneka Gandhi) should resign.”
Maneka Gandhi’s Words Harsh: Fadnavis
Earlier on Monday, when asked about Union Minister Maneka Gandhi's statements on the tigress' killing, Fadnavis said the former had used "harsh words".
In a series of tweets on Sunday, Gandhi had said, "It is nothing but a straight case of crime. Despite several requests from many stakeholders, (Sudhir) Mungantiwar, minister for forests, Maharashtra, gave orders for the killing."
Fadnavis had said, "She (Maneka) has used harsh words. But her sentiments should be understood. All animal lovers' sentiments are harsh regarding this incident. It was a difficult decision. Whether the procedure was correct or not will be checked."
Tigress’ Hunt To Be Probed: Fadnavis
Devendra Fadnavis had also said on Monday that the killing of Avni was a sad incident and any procedural lapse in it would be probed.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “There is no happiness over the killing. The forest department took the decision since she had killed 13 to 14 people. There are some doubts regarding whether the tigress was first shot and then the dart inserted, this aspect will be probed.”
"We speak of increasing tiger population and conserving wildlife, and then unfortunately such a decision had to be taken. The tiger is a gentleman. He attacks only if his habitat is violated. Preliminary reports with me say the tigress attacked the forest department team and she was shot in self-defence," the Maharashtra CM said.
"Hunter Asgar Ali was hired by the forest department. The doubts raised regarding the killing will be verified," he added.
Rahul Gandhi, Harsh Vardhan Spar Over Killing of Avni
Rahul Gandhi also tweeted against the killing of the tigress, which prompted a strong reaction from Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan.
Vardhan hit back at the Congress president, saying no previous government has worked with the kind of “depth and seriousness” this dispensation has.
The government does not need a certificate from Rahul Gandhi, Vardhan said.
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