Days after two poachers were arrested for opening fire at Forest Department personnel on duty in the Kuldiha sanctuary in Baleswar district, six more were arrested in a joint combing operation late on Wednesday night.
The operation was carried out by a united team of Kuldiha Wildlife Division, Similipal Tiger Protection Force and Nialgiri police. Six country guns and traps used for poaching with animal trophy were recovered from their possession. The accused were nabbed from the periphery of the wildlife sanctuary.
Addressing mediapersons, Odisha PCCF (Wildlife) Sushant Nanda said the drive is ongoing and efforts have been stepped up after the incident of firing at forest personnel on duty.
On March 19, two Forest Department personnel sustained injuries due to firing by poachers near the Panchalingeswar beat in the sanctuary. The incident had taken place when they were patrolling in the area.
The injured personnel were identified as Khitish Parida and Biranchi Jena of an anti-poaching squad. The duo had received a tipoff and set out for patrol upon learning that poachers had entered the forest. After hours of searching, they found the poachers at around 2 am and attempted to apprehend them when the latter fired at them.
They were initially admitted to the Baleswar District Headquarters Hospital and later shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack for better treatment.
