Mayurbhanj: In a significant breakthrough, the Forest Department officials arrested the main accused in connection with the seizure of four tiger skins last year. The arrest comes exactly a year after the department busted the leopard skin smuggling racket on July 23, 2023
According to sources, a special team led by the Baripada Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and Deputy Director (South) of Similipal Tiger Reserve conducted a raid on Bahalada village under Khunta police limits and seized four tiger skins.
The raid resulted in the arrest of four accused individuals involved in the illegal trade, although six persons were reportedly involved in the crime. Unfortunately, the kingpin of the operation Netra Singh managed to evade arrest and was at large.
On a tip-off, Baripada DFO and Deputy Director of Similipal Tiger Reserve arrested Netra from his house during a raid.
Baripada DFO A Uma Mahesh said, “On 23.03.23, we had arrested four persons for smuggling leopard skins during a riad. Two others managed to give the police the slip. A joint taskforce has been formed and arrested the main accused Netra Singh, who has been linked to leopard poaching in the area and has a vast network for disposing of leopard skins. During interrogation, Netra Singh admitted to committing the crime. So far, five accused, including the kingpin Netra Singh, have been apprehended. Efforts are on to arrest the six accused, identified as Budhiram Singh.”
