Baripada: Steps have been taken by the Forest Department following the murder of two forest personnel in Similipal Sanctuary to enforce patrolling.
A special joint task force has been formed for the protection of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) with anti-poaching.
As many as 100 armed police constables will be members of the aforesaid task force. With this, it has been informed that 3 range officers, 6 foresters, and 81 forest guards will be engaged with the armed cops.
The task force will play a major role in preventing armed miscreants from poaching and attacking forest personnel. The Regional Chief Conservator of Forests cum Field Director of STR will head of the STF.
Among others are the Deputy Director of Similipal, senior police officers of Mayurbhanj district, along with Divisional Forest Officers of Baripada, Karanjia, Rairangpur, and ACFs will be members of the STF.