Rayagada: The Forest Department on Saturday arrested eight persons for their alleged involvement in the illegal leopard skin trade during a raid at Revalkona village under the K. Singpur range of the Rayagada division in the Koraput circle.
The arrested persons have been identified as Jitendra Beniya, Muruga Majhi, and E. J. Rao of Kalahandi district; Bharat Nachika of Revalkona village under K. Singpur block; and Simadri Tadingi, Kailash Jani, Prashant Kadraka, and Dharm Patika of Rayagada district.
Acting on a tip-off, a 26-member team of forest officials from Rayagada, Tikiri, and Kalahandi conducted a raid in the Revalkona area, where the accused had reportedly assembled to finalise a deal involving a leopard skin.
According to officials, five of the arrested persons are from Rayagada district and three from Kalahandi district. They were apprehended on the spot during the operation.
During the raid, the Forest Department recovered one leopard skin, a motorcycle, and several mobile phones from their possession. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the wider network involved in the trade.
