Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch nabbed two persons in Sambalpur district on charges of possessing elephant tusks. They were produced before a local court on Thursday.
They are identified as Hrushikesh Kumbhar of Ulunda in Subarnapur district and Gopal Krushna Budak of Charmal in Sambalpur district.
The STF officials said after getting a tip-off they conducted a raid at Bareipalli chowk under Ainthapalli police station limits. During the search, elephant tusks and other incriminating articles were found in the possession of Kumbhar and Budak, the officials said.
The duo was arrested under the provisions of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Indian Penal Code Sections 379 and 411. The STF officials said the duo failed to furnish valid document supporting the possession of wildlife article.
The seized tusks will be sent to Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun for chemical examination and a thorough investigation was initiated on the matter.
