BAHAWALNAGAR: An Indian langur was tortured to death at Mandi Sadiq Ganj, however, the Punjab Wildlife department has made contradictory statements over the matter.

According to villagers, the langurhad crossedthe border and entered the border village of Mattwala on Friday, stealing goods from people`s homes as well as snatching eatables from children. Some men chased the langur. They hit it with stones until it was injured and they caught it.

A villager, Muhammad Bakhsh, allegedly tortured the wild animal more and killed it. Wildlife sources toldDawnthat on learning about the incident, a team and local police went to the scene but returned without taking action against those who had killed the langur.

They said despite the testimony of witnesses, the people involved in the incident were neither arrested nor was a case registered against them.

WhenDawncontacted wildlife inspector Inzamamul Haq, he explained that the person who allegedly killed the langur had confessed to the crime during an investigation and the department imposed a fine on him.

However, expressing ignorance of the amount of the fine, the official said the details could be received from District Wildlife Officer Nazar Hussain.

The officer did not respond to repeated calls or text messages.

Contrary to the wildlife official`s comments, the Bahawalnagar Wildlife Department issued a report (seen byDawn) on the incident on Saturday, alleging that Muhammad Bakhsh, son of Bagh Ali, who had killed the langur could not be arrested.

Though the images of the dead langur went viral on social media, the report claimed that the dead animal`s body was yet to be recovered.

When contacted the wildlife inspector again for clarification, he explained that the suspect had escaped, but when the report was issued, he courted arrest.