Baripada: Two persons were apprehended by the forest department in connection with poaching activities in Similipal. The arrests were made following an AI camera image captured in the buffer area on July 9.
The accused, identified as Kartik Singh (35) alias Reba and Ramchandra Tudu (35) alias Sidha, both residents of Sapanchua village under Khunta Police Station, were arrested from their homes.
During a house raid led by two women officers, Minakhai Naik and Tapasi Mishra, of the Dukura WL Range, a substantial cache of arms and explosives was seized. The seized items include five country-made guns, huge explosives, two damaged camera traps, and other contraband.
The probe team is now on the lookout for a third accused who is currently absconding. Further investigation is underway to apprehend the absconding accused. The two arrested poachers will be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Baripada.
