Dhenkanal: Odisha Crime Branch, which has been investigating the death of seven elephants in Dhenkanal due to electrocution, arrested two forest officials and a junior engineer of Central Electricity Supply Unit (CESU) Saturday.
According to sources, Sanjay Kumar Mohanty, CESU’s Junior Manager (Electrical) of Meramandali Section has been arrested. Earlier, he was dismissed from service October 27.
Meramandali Section Forester Pravakar Rana and Forest Guard of Meramandali Beat Girish Dehury have also been arrested by the CB officials.
The elephants were electrocuted after coming in contact with a high voltage live wire near Kamalanga village under Sadar range in this district October 26.
According to the locals, a sagging electric wire — drawn for providing power to a railway project underway in the area — claimed the lives of the seven elephants. As per rules, the electric wire should be 17 feet above the ground, but in the instant case the wire passed at a height of just 8 feet, locals alleged.
PNN