Vulnerable Wildlife in Captivity of Assam Politician, Police Seeks Factual Report from CCF

Guwahati: Mostly in the headlines for all wrong reasons, the Chief Executive Member of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council in Assam ’s Dima Hasao, Debolal Gorlosa has again landed in trouble. This time for keeping a vulnerable wildlife species in captivity at his residence. As per complaints filed by one Joyosh Nunisa, a resident of Maibang, Debolal Gorlosa has kept a Burmese Red serow.

Gorlosa, has reportedly kept the wild Burmese red serow in captivity at his residence in Haflong, Dima Hasao. Stating that this act of keeping a wildlife in captivity is in gross violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which explicitly prohibits the capture and confinement of wild animals, Joyosh Nunisa has sent complaint letters to Maneka Gandhi, World Wildlife Fund, Animal Welfare Board of India and PETA.

Apart from this, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has also been filed with the Gauhati High Court in this regard by Rajib Langthasa, Hemen Kemprai and Ronesh Langthasa. The High Court has already sought a report from the State government within October 23.

The red serow (Capricornis rubidus), also called the Burmese red serow, is a wild goat-antelope enlisted as a vulnerable species. Found mostly in Southeast Asia and particularly in parts of Northeast India and Myanmar, the species in close to getting endangered because of rampant poaching in the region.

If convicted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, it will invite strict penalties including imprisonment and fines for Debolal Gorlosa.

Gorlosa, a former militant-turned-politician, is also accused of killing and abducting people for ransom as a militant in multiple cases. In some of these cases, he has also been chargesheeted. There are also several allegations of corruption against the Chief Executive Member. Recently, the district BJP , his very own party people had staged a protest demonstration in Haflong seeking his immediate removal from the post of CEM.