Baripada: Forest officials of Similipal Tiger Reserve on Monday arrested five poachers and seized two illegal country-made firearms along with a large cache of explosives hidden inside the forest. One poacher is still absconding.
The arrested persons have been identified as Govindo Ho (35), Mangal Ho (38), and Samu Samad (34) of Talasorei village and Bahadur Sidu (26) and Bikram Samad (32) of Patharakhan village, all from Mayurbhanj district.
According to an official press release, a group of six poachers was captured on an AI surveillance camera while illegally entering the Similipal Tiger Reserve on June 30. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Bhanjabasa Wildlife Range.
Based on the photographic evidence, forest personnel launched a swift operation and apprehended five members of the group. Two illegal firearms and a significant quantity of explosives, which were concealed in the forest, were recovered during the operation.
The accused were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Baripada on Monday. Their bail applications were rejected and they have been remanded to judicial custody.
Efforts are underway to nab the sixth accused who remains at large. A case will be registered under relevant sections of the Arms Act and Explosives Act.
Forest officials confirmed that, through a series of raids conducted over the past five days, a total of 10 poachers have been arrested and 10 illegal country-made firearms have been seized.
