Bhubaneswar: The forest department has achieved a significant success in its efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, seizing a leopard skin and arresting seven people, including a retired police official, in connection with the case.
The raid was conducted in the Gunduribadi village of Jagannath Prasad Range under the Bhanjanagar forest division in Ganjam district.
According to DFO Himanshu Shekhar Mohanty, the department received information about a leopard skin being worshipped at a private residence. Acting on the tip-off, a team led by ACF Vivek Kumar Das, Ranger Pruthiraj Pradhan, and other officials raided the location and seized the leopard skin, along with a dagger (bhujali) and puja materials.
Three persons were arrested from the spot where the worship was being conducted, while four others were apprehended from a nearby lodge. Among those arrested, three are from Gajapati district, and one is a retired police officer. The forest department is investigating the matter further, and the accused are currently in custody.
The successful operation was carried out with the assistance of the Bhanjanagar police station.
