Deogarh: The forest officials have arrested six persons near Chhatabar Ghat under Deogarh Forest Division in connection with leopard skin smuggling last night.
All the arrested persons belong to Banei area in the district, officials said. The forest officials also seized a 1.5 metre long leopard skin and a four-wheeler in which the accused were smuggling the skin to Sambalpur.
“Six persons were arrested while they were smuggling leopard skin from Sundergarh to Sambalpur last night,” said Kshama Sarangi, DFO, Deogarh Forest Division.
“As per the primary investigation, the leopard was killed by gun shots,” Sarangi added.
The team of the forest officers headed by Deogarh Forest Ranger Kusha Charan Singh intercepted the accused near Chhatabar Ghat and seized leopard skin, which was kept in a bag in their vehicle.
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Ms Kalinga