Bhubaneswar: The STF (Special Task Force) of the Odisha Crime Branch successfully halted leopard skin trade near Sambalpur-Subarnapur border.
Based on concrete information, yesterday afternoon the STF conducted a raid near ITI Subarnapur. They accosted one Ashok Chhatria of Babuektima, Sambalpur for being in possession of a leopard skin. Since Ashok was unable to produce any valid authority for the illegal possession, STF arrested him under IPC Sections 379/411 r/w 51 of Wildlife Protection Act.
The seized skin was sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun for chemical examination. Further probe is underway.
