Three held for burning python in Gujarat

VADODARA/ ANAND: Three persons have been arrested for burning a python in Valvod village of Anand's Borsad taluka. The accused were booked and arrested under the provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on Monday.

Those arrested include Mukesh Makwana, Jitu Makwana and Girish Makwana, all residents of Valvod. Sources said four other accused from Valvod are on the run.

The incident came to light after a video of a group of locals hitting the python with sticks and sharp-edged weapons and later burning it went viral.

Python is a protected species under schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1962.

If convicted, the accused will get imprisonment for seven years and fined for up to Rs 25,000, forest officials said.

The remains of the burnt

reptile

were sent to Borsad veterinary hospital.