Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Crime Branch with the help of Forest Department officials of Bamara Forest Division and local police on Wednesday rescued a pangolin following a raid near the Railway crossing in between Bada-Dumbermunda-Nuapada Road under Govindapur police stations limits in Sambalpur district.
The STF has arrested two wildlife criminals identified as Ichhadhar Naik (26) and Sachin Kumar Pandey (28).
They have also seized a car along with other incriminating materials from their possession.
According to an official press release, the STF has registered a case against the accused persons under section 379/411/120(B) of IPC read with section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The accused persons will be forwarded to SDJM Court, Kuchinda and the rescued pangolin has been handed over to Forest Range Officer, Bamara of Sambalpur district for safe custody, the release added.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, the release said.
The Indian pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater and ‘bajrakapta’ in Odia is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal. It is a schedule-I protected animal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Schedule- I provides absolute protection – offences under this are prescribed for the highest penalties.
