Target: Biswaraj Panda, Divisional Forest Officer of Balliguda Forest Division, Odisha, India
Goal: Ensure those allegedly responsible for violently beating a protected langur to death and capturing its infant face the strongest possible legal consequences.
Disturbing videos surfaced seemingly showing the killing of a hanuman langur, a species protected under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The footage reportedly depicts a man striking the langur repeatedly with a heavy wooden stick, in an incident that resulted in the animal’s death. The severity of the alleged actions raises serious concerns about cruelty toward protected wildlife.
According to reports, one individual is seen attempting to separate an infant langur from its mother using a stick, while the mother is tethered by a rope. The video apparently shows the adult langur being struck on the head multiple times, around seven blows, before collapsing. The infant langur is then apparently captured and displayed to children. These reported details suggest the possibility of extreme suffering and distress inflicted on the animals.
Following a complaint submitted by PETA India, a preliminary offence report was registered under Section 9 of the WPA, 1972. Two individuals have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody, while efforts are ongoing to identify others who may have been involved and to locate the infant langur. Given the seriousness of the alleged actions and the protected status of the species, it is critical that authorities ensure a thorough investigation and enforce the law to its fullest extent.
PETITION LETTER:
Officer Biswaraj Panda,
This petition concerns a deeply disturbing case in which a protected hanuman langur was reportedly subjected to extreme violence and killed, as shown in widely circulated videos. Reports indicate that the animal was repeatedly struck with a stick while restrained, raising serious concerns about possible violations of wildlife protection laws.
The same reports suggest that an infant langur may have been forcibly separated from its mother and taken, while the body of the adult animal was displayed. Such alleged actions, if confirmed, would represent a grave breach of protections afforded to wildlife under the law and may indicate severe cruelty.
We respectfully urge your office to ensure a comprehensive investigation into this incident and to pursue the strongest possible charges if the evidence supports such action. It is also essential that urgent efforts continue to locate and secure the safety of the infant langur. Holding those allegedly responsible accountable is critical to preventing similar acts against protected wildlife.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Senthi Aathavan Senthilverl
