Case registered in connection of video torturing great Indian Hornbill

Based on the viral video on social media where some unidentified persons/s were seen torturing a captured great Indian Hornbill bird at Bhandari town, Wokha district, SDPO Bhandari Sukumo Kikon, NPS, stated that the Suo Moto case was registered at the Police Station, Bhandari on 15th June 2022.

SDPO also stated that accordingly Officer-in-charge, police station, Bhandari has registered a case vide Bdi PS C/NO 12/22 U/S 425/34 IPC R/W 25 (IB) Arms Act. R/W 11(IA) (L) Prevention of cruelty to Animal Act 1960. He said the case is now under investigation.

The officer in charge of the Bhandari police station, Nchumbemo Kikon, told that a team of the wildlife division from Dimapur reached Wokha on Monday, and the three are being taken for legal proceedings.

A video of a Hornbill being tortured and killed was widely circulated on social media, causing outrage among the public.

In the video, a person can be seen beating the Hornbill with a stick and stomping on the bird’s neck. A woman’s voice can be overheard, saying not to circulate the video, warning of legal actions.

The forest department and Wildlife Division have been carrying out various programmes for rejuvenating local biodiversity. However, public ignorance remains a major concern, and killing, hunting and capturing of wild animals continues in many parts of the district.