Aizawl, Jan. 10: The president of the Khanpui YMA branch, Lalremsanga, today demanded that the joint editor of a local daily, H. Ramdinthara, retract his statements against the YMA branch in the serow-killing incident.

Lalremsanga has also asked the government to take action against those involved in the killing of a serow, an endangered species. He was addressing newspersons at the Aizawl Press Club.

Lalremsanga alleged that Ramdinthara had written several stories on the serow-killing incident, which the YMA branch considered detrimental for them.

Lalremsanga said when they learned that one K. Lalruata of their village had killed a serow, they had contacted a forest officer Vanlalsawma. The forest officer had then advised the Khanpui YMA to report the matter to the wildlife division, which the YMA neglected to do after the culprit begged for forgiveness.

The incident had taken a strange turn when the hind leg of the animal was sent, along with a letter addressed to the Aizawl division?s divisional forest officer, Lalthangliana Murray.

There is speculation that the serow leg and letter had been ?planted? because of inter-officer rivalries. Even forest minister Lalthangliana had gone on record saying the government believed the incident was a fallout of rivalry between forest officials.

Meanwhile, the government has initiated proceedings and the case is now in the Aizawl district magistrate?s court with K. Lalruata as the main accused.

Chief secretary Haukhum Hauzel had, in a press release issued by Khanpui YMA on December 27, a copy of which was addressed to the chief secretary, instructed chief wildlife warden L.R. Thanga to give the report of the incident and action taken in the case.

Giving a report last Friday, Thanga said the matter is currently pending in court.

The wildlife division has also asked Murray explain his position in connection with the incident. Murray replied that the matter was ?false, fabricated and in all likelihood a ploy to defame? him and the department.

Meanwhile, reports have come out in vernacular papers that Vanlalsawma had served a legal notice to Ramdinthara for defamation.

The journalist in question today denied having received any legal notice.