Suspected venison sold openly in Kohima market sparks concern over possible violations of Wildlife Protection Act, officials yet to receive complaint.
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KOHIMA — Suspected stag meat was seen being sold openly at a local market near Khouchiezhie Kohima on Monday afternoon, raising concerns over possible violations of wildlife protection laws.
According to witnesses, the meat—believed to be venison—was displayed for sale in the market area and drew the attention of passersby.
A woman vendor selling the bushmeat told passersby in Nagamese that the meat was beneficial for the sick and that one portion cost INR 1,200. She described the meat as coming from a deer with large branching antlers and encouraged people to purchase it.
When queried by Eastern Mirror about the origin of the meat, she said that it was brought from a village but declined to provide further details, adding that the meat had been transported to her by someone else.
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The portion on display was estimated to weigh around 2 kilograms, while the remaining portions were kept on a sack for sale.
Deer species are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits hunting, trade and possession of wild animals and their derivatives without authorisation and is enforceable across the country, including Nagaland. Violations of the Act can attract penalties including imprisonment and fines.
Nagaland follows traditional hunting practices, while the sale of wild animal meat is regulated under existing wildlife laws.
When contacted earlier in the day, an official from the Kohima Forest Division said no report of such activity had been received. Later in the evening, Forest department personnel visited the reported location of sale, but the meat had already been sold out.