Forest officials in Odisha arrested four suspected poachers from the Baliguda forest division of Kotgarh wildlife sanctuary in Kandhamal district on Thursday. The operation also led to the seizure of four country-made guns and a large quantity of gunpowder.
Accused Identified
The accused were identified as Lutasingh Muthamajhi (35), Jitu Majhi (21), Finas Malik (30), and Rajendra Majhi (45), all residents of Bangeri village under Tumudibandh police station limits. Along with firearms and gunpowder, officials seized several GI wires, live cartridges, reel crackers, and headlights from their possession.
Details of Arrest
Baliguda divisional forest officer (DFO) Ghanashyam Mahanta stated that patrolling forest staff apprehended the accused two days ago while they were attempting to set fire inside the Kotgarh wildlife sanctuary. Their sole purpose in setting the fire was to hunt wild animals, he added.
During interrogation, the accused could not provide satisfactory explanations for entering the sanctuary area with firearms at night. Consequently, all were booked under the Wildlife Act and forwarded to court, said Manoranjan Bagh, assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Baliguda.
Intensified Patrolling
Bagh noted that patrolling has been intensified in the sanctuary area to prevent forest fires and curb poaching of wild animals. The sanctuary, spanning approximately 400 square kilometers, is home to significant species including leopards, elephants, barking deer, and sambar.
