Malkangiri: A Forest department team raided a house in Manakunda village in Motu forest in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Thursday morning and seized a leopard hide measuring about 1.13 metres in length. The team also arrested three wildlife smugglers – Mukesh Madkami, Penta Madkami and Dula Madkami in this connection.
The Forest department raiding party, acting on the orders of Malkangiri Forest Officer Pratap Kotakpalli, also seized a two-wheeler from the possession of the accused. The department has launched a probe into the matter to unearth more details regarding wildlife smuggling in the area.
All the arrested were tried in the court of First Class Judicial Division Court and sent to jail custody. All the accused are residents of Mangipali village of Manmakunda panchayat under the Motu police station in the district.
