Bone of contention: BJP cries 'fowl' after protected bird served at dinner for Sukhu

THOUGH THE CM DID NOT EAT THE 'JUNGLI MURGA', THE DISH WAS SERVED TO GUESTS ACCOMPANYING SUKHU

- Shailee Dogra

SHIMLA: The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit on Saturday sought an apology from chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for allegedly asking his associates if they wish to eat "Jungli Murga" (Grey Junglefowl), a protected species.

Demanding a probe and action in this matter, a Dharamshala-based animal rights NGO has filed a complaint to the chief conservator of the wildlife department in Dharamshala on Saturday, seeking action "against those who killed the "Jungli Murga", those consuming it and CM for encouraging others to consume the same".

On Friday night during the 'Sarkar Gaon Ke Dwar' initiative of the state government, chief minister visited Tikkar village in Kupvi tehsil of Chopal subdivision in Shimla district. Here he attended a dinner at a villager's home where the protected species was served.

"Jungli Murga" is a protected species and hunting is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This species, found in areas above 3,000 feet in Himachal Pradesh, is protected, and hunting it is a punishable offence.