SRIKAKULAM: In a shocking incident, the meat of a dead leopard was distributed among the villagers of Patrikonda in Saravakota mandal of the district Friday. However, the incident came to light Sunday. The police took three people - B Simhachalam, N Srinivasa Rao and Govinda Rao - into custody for their alleged involvement in the brutal act.
Police said that the farmers of Patrikonda erected an electric fence to prevent stray animals from entering their agricultural lands. On Friday, a leopard entered the farmlands in search of water and got electrocuted after getting stuck in the fence.
However, some of the villagers, instead of reporting the incident to the forest officials, reportedly distributed the meat of the dead leopard among the locals.
When the issue came to light Sunday, forest and police officials rushed to Patrikonda and inquired with the villagers. The cops also exhumed the skull of the leopard, which was buried by the villagers after consuming its meat.
The police took the three accused into custody for their alleged involvement in the appalling act. Investigation is on.