Four arrested in Wildlife Poaching in Keonjhar

Keonjhar : Keonjhar Forest Division, acting on credible intelligence regarding wildlife poaching activities inside Atei Reserve Forest under Patna Range, conducted a swift and coordinated operation.

          During the operation, forest staff apprehended four accused persons while they were allegedly processing and cutting spotted deer meat for sale. This has said DFO Keonjhar Dhanaraj HD in a press release on Sunday.

  The accused persons are identified as  Laxman Majhi ( 40) andJadumani Majhi (55), of Village Banamahuldiha, Gopal Majhi (67) and San Karan Majhi ( 37), of Village of Bentkarpada under Thakurmunda PS of Mayurbhanj district, During the search and seizure operation, the following articles were recovered and seized:

One cut head of a wild spotted deer (without horns), 10 kg of raw meat, Three plastic bags, One weighing machine, Three bows, Ten arrows and Two axes.The seized materials indicate involvement in illegal hunting and trade of wildlife.

Forest department lodged a case against them under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the species involved, identify other persons connected with the offence, and determine the extent of poaching activities in the area.