Baripada: Forest department officials on Monday arrested three wildlife criminals for allegedly violating the Wildlife Protection Act.
According to Deputy Director Similipal South Samrat Gouda, the accused persons have been identified as Srimat Majhi alias Kanda (45), Karu Hansdah alias Jatri (55) and Budhan Majhi alias Thatan (30). All the accused persons hail from Mayurbhanj district.
Working on a camera trap image of a poacher group a team of Forest department officials of Pithabata South Wildlife Range led by ACF arrested the accused persons and seized 2 unloaded guns, 1 loaded gun, 2 half made guns (butt), 2 bills of hornbill (beak), 70 nos. of hornbill feathers, 2 nos. of Sambar deer antler, 2 nos. of hornbill claw, 8 nos. of arrows, 2 nos. bows and a bag containing explosives and iron pellets used for bullet preparation from their exclusive possession.
A case is booked under Pithabata South Wildlife Range under sections of 2,9,27,29,30,31,32,39,48A,52 punishable under section 51 of the same act against the accused persons who were forwarded to court for remand into judicial custody.
Further investigation is on to catch other accused in connection with the case.
