Mayurbhanj: Forest officials arrested three wildlife smugglers and seized four leopard hides and three mobile phones from their possession during a raid at Bahalada village under Khunta police station of Mayurbhanj district Sunday. Sources said acting on a tip-off, the Baripada divisional forest officer (DFO) and deputy director of Similipal Tiger Conservation Project conducted a raid and arrested the three smugglers.
Further investigation is in progress, said the Forest Department sources. Notably, the Special Task Force (STF) had arrested one wildlife criminal and seized three leopard hides, as many deer skins, and other incriminating materials from his possession during a raid near Madanpur Rampur in Kalahandi district here, police said Saturday. The accused was identified as Khageswar Putel, 56, of Gunangbeda area under M Rampur police limits.