The Motu Forest Division in Malkangiri district seized 1,078 turtles from a Bolero vehicle and arrested three accused involved in illegal transportation.
Acting on the directives of Divisional Forest Officer IFS Sai Kiran DN, a special team led by Assistant Conservator of Forests Mansun Kemundu launched a late-night operation on Monday.
The forest personnel divided into six teams and strategically positioned themselves near Konta Bridge in Chhattisgarh and Motu Bridge in Odisha. Around 4 AM on Tuesday, Motu Range Officer Muralidhar Anugulia intercepted a speeding Bolero near Konta Bridge. Upon inspection, forest officials discovered 25 sacks containing hundreds of turtles—910 alive and 168 dead.
The arrested individuals include Sukumar Tarafdar from MPV-65 village under MV-79 police limits, and drivers Yugal Chandra Deo and Biswajit Mandal from Dornapal area in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. According to forest officials, the turtles were being smuggled from Andhra Pradesh to MPV-65 village for consumption and sale.
The seized turtles will be released into the nearby Saberi River, as confirmed by Forester Muralidhar Anugulia. The accused have been produced in court and further investigation is underway.
