Baripada: The Mayurbhanj police have made a breakthrough in the case of the tragic shooting of Forester Mathy Hansdah by poachers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve. Ten persons have been apprehended in connection with the incident, according to Mayurbhanj SP Battula Gangadhar.
Addressing a press conference, SP Battula Gangadhar revealed that all the accused individuals hail from Adelbeda village under Thakurmunda police limits. The police have seized two homemade firearms, two sets of bows and arrows, as well as bamboo sticks from the possession of the suspects, added Gangadhar.
The arrested individuals have been produced before the court, and further investigations are underway to determine if any others were involved in the crime, said the SP. Additionally, during another raid, two more homemade firearms were seized by the authorities.
In response to the killing of the Forester, the Odisha Police and Forest Department had collaborated to form six special teams, dedicated to capturing the poachers responsible.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of June 17 when a group of six Forest personnel, conducting a patrol in the Upper Barahakumuda range of Similipal North Division, encountered armed poachers near the Gamchacharan beat camp. Upon instructing the poachers to surrender and disarm themselves, the poachers resorted to indiscriminate firing around 2:30 AM.
Tragically, Forester Mathy Hansdah, who was stationed in the Upper Bharakamada Range, was struck by a bullet. Despite being promptly rushed to Karanjia Hospital, he was pronounced dead by the attending doctors.
The successful arrests made by the police mark a significant step towards bringing justice for Forester Mathy Hansdah and combating the menace of poaching within the Similipal Tiger Reserve. The collaborative efforts of the law enforcement agencies and the Forest Department are expected to continue to ensure the protection and preservation of the region’s valuable wildlife.
