Killing of porcupine: Panchayat president on the run

Thiruvananthapuram: Vellanad panchayat president Sasi, who was booked under the Wildlife Protection Act for allegedly killing a Schedule I protected porcupine at Valiyara on Saturday, continues to remain untraceable three days after the incident.Forest officials confirmed that a case has been registered against him for killing the animal before the rapid response team (RRT) could reach the spot on Saturday morning.
Sources in the forest department said Sasi switched off his mobile phone soon after the incident and is believed to have left the district. Initial inputs suggest he may have travelled towards Kottayam. Officials confirmed that teams have visited his residence as well as the Vellanad panchayat office but he was not found. He has also been absent from official engagements since the incident.Forest and police sources indicated that Sasi figures in multiple criminal cases registered across police stations in the district, including those involving assault and obstruction of officials. A case has also reportedly been registered against him under non-bailable provisions for allegedly insulting the panchayat secretary on the basis of caste.Sources alleged that past cases against him include incidents involving assault on a woman hotel owner and her minor son as well as vandalism of a health centre inauguration plaque.Forest officials said they have sought police assistance to trace him and are attempting to track his location through mobile tower data. "We are continuing the search and he will have to appear before the department or court in connection with the case," an official said.The porcupine had strayed into a house at Valiyara around 7.30am on Saturday. Residents had alerted ward representatives and the forest department after spotting the animal. However, before the RRT could arrive to safely handle the situation, Sasi allegedly used an iron pipe found on the premises to beat the animal to death.Officials said the killing of a protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act is a serious offence that can attract three years of imprisonment.