Nayagada: Three poachers were arrested after forest officials intercepted them while they were returning with a hunted wild boar in Nayagada district, officials said on Tuesday.
The Dashapalla Forest Division also seized the carcass of a male wild boar, three country-made firearms and an axe during the operation carried out in Compartment-2 of the Chadeyapalli Section under the Daspalla forest range.
The arrested persons were identified as Santosh Jani (22) and Arakshit Jani (35), both residents of Tamunti village under Chadeyapalli panchayat, and Arat Jani (29) of Bhiruda village.
According to forest officials, the department had received intelligence that the accused were in possession of illegal firearms and frequently entered the forest to hunt wild animals. Acting on the information, Forest Guard Sanatan Swain and other staff members were on patrol on Monday afternoon when they heard gunshots from the Compartment-2 forest.
The patrol team immediately surrounded the area and launched a search operation. During the raid, Santosh and Arakshit were allegedly found carrying the carcass of the wild boar on a pole placed across their shoulders, while Arat was following them with three country-made guns and an axe.
On spotting the forest personnel, the trio allegedly attempted to escape but were overpowered and taken into custody.
Forest officials said preliminary investigation indicated that the accused had been entering the forest and hunting wildlife for a considerable period.
The seized wild boar, estimated to be a one-and-a-half-year-old male, was subjected to a post-mortem examination by a veterinary doctor. The examination confirmed that the animal had sustained a bullet injury to its abdomen.
The Forest Department has initiated legal action against the accused under the relevant provisions of the wildlife protection laws. Officials also expressed concern over recurring incidents of poaching in the Daspalla and Gania forest areas, saying the trend poses a serious challenge to wildlife conservation in the region.
