Baripada: A team of Forest department officials, Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), Joint Task Force (JTF) and local police on Thursday arrested five poachers from Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve.
The team seized trap nets, 02 bows, 23 arrows, 01 axe, 02 billhooks, 01 knife, plastic snare, 01 antler of Sambar and 02 antlers of spotted deer from their possession.
The accused have been identified as Salkhan Hembram (20), Lal Mohan Hansda (32), Balram Soren (44), Madhusudan Murmu (32) and Birsingh Hembram (25).
They had reportedly illegally entered into the core area (TL-3) of the Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary.
Similipal Tiger Reserve North Division Deputy Director Sai Kiran has informed that the accused have been forwarded to court following their arrests.
