200 venomous scorpions seized from hawker

TRICHY

: Representatives of Animal Welfare Board of India (

AWBI

) seized as many as 200 venomous scorpions including a few black scorpions from a hawker making fortune by selling oil extracts for headache. The scorpions retrieved from the 60-year-old hawker were later let into a forest habitat near

Kaatukeelakurichi

on Sunday.

According to AWBI sources, the board was informed about the risky practice of a senior citizen displaying scorpions on the road near

Ponmalai

market to attract locals for selling oil extracts reportedly prepared from herbal plants for headaches. On information, AWBI activists headed by honourary animal welfare officer

G Ramakrishnan

rushed to Ponmalai and found S Samsudeen, a native of

Kanda Nagar

in Musiri.

For the past 30 years, Samsudeen had been making ends meet by selling oil extracts roads to public. “It seems, to attract people and also to project himself as a natural healer, the hawker Samsudeen displayed at least 200 scorpions including a few black scorpions in plastic boxes. As soon as we were informed, we retrieved the venomous animals,” G Ramakrishnan said. Samsudeen also possessed a few Asian forest scorpions identified as deadly venomous species.

“Without proper and timely treatments, bite of scorpions can cost a life,” Ramakrishnan added. The Musiri-based man was also accused of providing treatment to the visitors on roads close to the Ponmalai market. It is alleged that Samsudeen had been prescribing oil extracts for body pain and other ailments without proper educational qualification.

Though Ponmalai police station and Trichy forest department personnel were informed about the illegal medications provided by Samsudeen, sources said that Samsudeen was let off with a severe warning by the police and forest departments.


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