Forest squad turns to mind games to curb crime

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Urban Forest Mobile Squad have roped in those involved in wildlife offences as informants to control forest crimes and they claim that they have been successful in solving 14 wildlife crime cases last year.The concept is a brainchild of K B Manjunath, Deputy Conservator of Forests.He said this has helped in arresting criminals, getting into their network and control the crime rate. “First, we extract the family details of the accused and establish their family members as abettors before the accused and they breakdown. Psychological strategies are used to tap important information. Special personnel have been deployed for the purpose,” said Manjunath.His men interact with the accused and extract details of the kingpins behind the crime. In most of the cases, the accused are tribals or coolies who are not aware of legal complications and the importance of ecological balance.“Most of these accused are paid less. They are paid around Rs 5,000 to kill an elephant and transport its tusk. They are told that the Forest Department would double the pay if they save a life. Now, one among the accused is working for us,” added Manjunath. The officials say many times they have been attacked by the poachers.“The department’s staffers’ life is at stake. Two people are assigned on the work. One is involved in tracing the information and network; while the other executes the plan. So far, we have solved 14 cases in the last one year,” he maintained.