Late Night Encounter Ends Reign Of Avni

A civilian hunter, part of the official team, fires at the tigress in 'self-defence'.

- Gautam S. Mengle Zubi Hussain

Avni, the tigress that is said to have killed 13 villagers, was shot dead near Borati village in Yavatmal on Friday night by a team of Forest Department offcials and civilian hunter Asgar Ali.

The incident triggered outrage among wildlife activists, who alleged that no efforts were made to tranquillise Avni and called it a “murder in cold blood.”

Offcials said a team of three Forest Department personnel and Mr. Ali shot the tigress, ocially known as T­1, on the Borati­Warud Road in Yavatmal.