Mayurbhanj: Adding another feather to its cap, Mayurbhanj police in Odisha on Friday arrested three persons during a combing operation in the Simlipal sanctuary with the aim to make the area free of anti-social elements and illegal arms.
The three accused have been arrested along with three illegal guns in two separate incidents.
According to Mayurbhanj SP B Gangadhar, three persons were arrested from Rentsahi near Chandanchaturi village of Yadunathpur panchayat under Ladasahi police station in the Simlipal area and two arms have been seized from their possession. The arrested include Yadunath Hansda (52) of Rentsahi, Thakur Singh (26), and Madhu Singh (30) of Chandanchaturi village.
Similarly, another country-made gun hidden in the forest near Kashikundal village under Udala police station was seized by the police today.
Two cases have been filed in two police stations. Officials from the Ladasahi and Udala police stations were present at the press briefing of B Gangadhar.
The SP said that they have launched an extensive combing operation in the areas adjoining the Simlipal Sanctuary with the aim to make the place free of criminals and illegal arms. While three platoons of police have been engaged in the combing operation, local people have been sensitised on the issue.
Meanwhile, the district SP Gangadhar has directed all concerned to surrender their illegal guns by July 31 or face dire consequences if arrested.
It is worth mentioning here that the combing operation has been intensified in the region following the killing of two forest guards by poachers in recent months.
