Mayurbhanj: The Mayurbhanj police together with Similapal Tiger Reserve personnel have identified five accused in connection with the killing of forest guard Bimal Kuma Jena who was shot dead by poachers on Monday in Baunshakhala forest beat. Two of the five accused have been detained by the police.
According to Sagarika Nath, Balasore SP who is also in charge of Mayurbhanj district, some locals shot down forest guard Bimal, and the police are raiding various places in the district to nab them. Addressing a press conference, the SP said the police have detained two persons after conducting raids in three villages.
Meanwhile, the Forest Department personnel raided the Kaptipada range in the Ladakhman area and seized four country-made guns, 7 kg of pangolin scales, wild meat, traps, and tails of wild animals from the houses of two accused. Mangal Singh and Gansa Ho were arrested for poaching wildlife in the region. The arrested poachers are being interrogated in the forest department office.
A few days ago, Northern Range IG Himansu Lal conducted a high-level meeting with the authorities of the Similipal Tiger Reserve and chalked out an action plan for the protection of the reserve from poachers.
Police and forest personnel still suspect that the killers are still inside the sanctuary and, have, thus, sealed all entry points.
