Three Held With Wildlife Articles In Similipal Tiger Reserve

Baripada: Forest officials of Similipal Tiger Reserve (North) have arrested three persons for allegedly possessing illegal wildlife articles during a search operation in Mayurbhanj district.

The accused have been identified as Dasmat Murmu (43), Shankar Murmu (56), and Pandu Soren (38), all residents of Jamudiha and Hatigoda areas under Thakurmunda police station limits.

According to forest officials, raids were conducted at the houses and premises of the accused, during which the team seized 11 pieces of elephant bones along with seven bows, seven arrows, one axe, one spade, a plastic bag, and eight bundles of bird traps.

The three accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Following their arrest, they were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Mayurbhanj, and later remanded to judicial custody.

Forest authorities said further investigation into the case is underway.