Nayagarh: The Special Task Force (STF) of Crime Branch on Sunday arrested two persons on the charges of possessing a leopard skin, two elephant tusk and other incriminating materials.
The arrested has been identified as Ramesh Pratihari, a native of Chakragada village of Cuttack district and Bimbadhar Tarei, a native of Bethia Sahi village of Nayagarh district.
On the basis of reliable information, STF team conducted a raid on Gania Chamundia road near Maa Kalapata Mandir, on the bank of Mahanadi river under Nayagarh district when they were informed about a deal of sale of Leopard skin and Elephant tusk by the criminals.
Both the criminals were arrested followed by a raid by the team. They seized one leopard skin and two elephant tusk and other incriminating materials from them.
The duo could not produce any valid authority or documents in support of possession of the leopard skin and elephant tusk, they were arrested under section 379/411 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 51 of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
The seized leopard skin and elephant tusk will be sent to the Wildlife Insititute of India, Deharadun for chemical examination.
Investigation is still underway.
During last one year,a special drive was launched formed against the wildlife criminals/poachers. STF has seized as amany as 13 leopard skin, 9 elephant tusk, 2 deer skin, 3 live pangolins and 5 kg pangolin scales and arrested 27 wildlife criminals. All total 15 cases have been registered against the wildlife criminals.
Ms Kalinga