Retired Cop Among 7 Held With Leopard Skin in Ganjam

Bhanjanagar: The Forest Department has arrested seven individuals, including a retired police officer, for illegally possessing and using leopard skin during rituals in Ganjam district.
The incident came to light in the North Ghumsar forest division under Bhanjanagar. Acting on a tip-off, a special team of forest officials conducted raids at multiple locations and seized a leopard skin along with weapons such as a knife, a sickle, and various puja materials.
According to officials, three persons were caught red-handed while performing rituals with the leopard skin at Gunduribadi village under Jagannath Prasad range. Later, four others, including three from neighbouring Gajapati district, were arrested from a lodge.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Himanshu Shekhar Mohanty confirmed the seizure, describing it as a major breakthrough against illegal wildlife trade. He further revealed that one of the accused is a retired police officer.
The arrested individuals will be produced in court, and further investigation is underway to determine whether they are linked to a larger wildlife trafficking network, officials said.