Rairangpur: The Forest Department has arrested a man for allegedly keeping venomous snakes illegally and selling gemstone rings while claiming they could cure various ailments in Rairangpur area of Mayurbhanj district.
The accused, Harun Sheikh, a resident of Atghara village under Baduria police station in West Bengal’s 24 Parganas district, was arrested following a tip-off about his activities near Dandabosh under Rairangpur forest range and Rairangpur Town police station limits.
According to forest officials, Sheikh was allegedly keeping venomous snakes illegally and selling rings made of coloured stones, claiming they could provide relief from various diseases and ailments.
Acting on the information, forest personnel rescued two cobras and a flying venomous snake from his possession. The accused was subsequently produced in court.
The three rescued snakes were later released into a nearby forest, Forest Range Officer Subrata Kumar Patra said.
