The accused, however, denied the allegations, claiming he only used fertilisers such as urea and potash for cultivation. Police said a veterinary doctor was called in to examine the birds and that preliminary evidence suggests poisoning.Body parts of the deceased birds have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Guwahati for necropsy, and soil samples from the site have also been collected for testing. Authorities confirmed that these birds were not categorised as wild and are now seeking court permission to dispose of the carcasses.Soumyadeep Dutta, Director of Nature’s Beckon, an environmental organisation, condemned the incident, calling it a case of “targeted killings.”“These were intentional killings such a large number of birds wouldn’t have died in one place otherwise. Some people kill spotted doves for their meat, both for personal consumption and sale,” Dutta stated.Nature’s Beckon conducts annual campaigns to protect the eggs, nests, and habitats of indigenous bird species, and has urged stricter enforcement against wildlife crimes.
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