Forest officials arrested 10 poachers near a protected forest in Tikayatpali Range, Sundargarh, recovering wild boar meat, skin, and hunting traps.
The arrested accused have been identified as Charan Munda, Nalu Bhuyan, Dasarathi Bhuyan, Dilu Bhuyan, Puniya Bhoi, Anjit Kumar Nayak, Guna Bhuyan, Kush Kisan, Shankar Munda, and Surendra Nayak.
They hail from Ghanshyampur, Tendara, and Khajuribahal villages. Authorities revealed that they had been involved in poaching for a long time.
The operation was led by Assistant Forest Conservator Jagannath Bisoi under the directives of Forest Officer Lalit Kumar Patra. A team comprising Range Officer Debashish Nayak, Forester Sadashib Patra, Tapas Satapathy, and forest guards Utkal Keshari Rout, Satyaban Rout, and Shefali Pradhan successfully apprehended the suspects.
The accused were presented in court yesterday, and legal proceedings are underway. Officials have intensified surveillance in the region to curb further poaching activities.
