Madhya Pradesh: Turtle hacked with axe, chopped, cooked for feast; three booked

BHOPAL: The forest department has registered a case against three men for slaughtering an endangered turtle with an axe and feasting on its meat in Sikli Jagir village of Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh.

All three suspects are absconding, and a search is underway.The incident took place on 28 August, when the men caught a turtle from a village pond and brought it home. They reportedly recorded a video showing the reptile struggling for life while one of them tried to hack its shell with an axe, as others pinned it down with a stick. Later, they cooked the turtle’s meat and organised a feast in the village.After the video surfaced, a forest team reached Sikli Jagir on Saturday and identified the suspects as Lala, alias Putua, son of Ratiram Valmiki; Angad, son of Bhewalal Valmiki; and Uday, son of Mewalal Valmiki.

Lala allegedly struck the axe blows, while Angad pinned the turtle. Uday was also present during the incident.Forest officials raided their homes but did not find them. “The suspects have been identified on the basis of the video. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act. Raids are ongoing, and they will be arrested soon,” said a forest officer.Officials added that killing, capturing, or smuggling any wild animal is a non-bailable offence under the Act, carrying three to seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.