STF, Odisha Foil a Deal of Sale of Elephant tusk & Leopard Skin
Bureau,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar:The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch foil a deal of Elephant tusk and leopard skin. On the basis of reliable information, the team conducted a raid near RTO Office, Keonjhar about a deal of sale of elephant tusk and leopard skin by wild life criminals on 7th Feb, Sunday.
In connection they have arrested three persons namely,Sekh Hasmati Alli of Ghosada, Karanjia, Mayurbhanj,Chandrakant Dhal of Karanjia Dist. Mayurbhanj and Malaya Kumar Rout of Janghira Dist. Keonjhar.
During search two numbers elephant tusk, one leopard skin and other incriminating articles were seized from their possession. The accused persons could not produce any valid authority in support of possession of such Elephant Tusks & Leopard Skin.
STF officials brought the accused to Bhubaneswar from Keonjhar and are questioning him.
Sources reveal, Leopards are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Over the last 10 years, at least 155 leopards have been poached across Odisha.
Leopards have been targeted by poachers for their expensive hides and other body parts. The rise in poaching cases is also indicative of more demand from international illegal trade market, said a senior Crime Brach officer of STF.
The illicit international demand for skins, along with the trade in bones and other parts for use in traditional oriental medicine, continues to be the main reason for unrelenting poaching, he added.
They have been arrested and will be forwarded to the Court.In this connection STF PS Case No.06 dated 07.02.2021 U/s. 379/411 IPC r/w. 51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 was registered. The seized Elephant Tusks and Leopard Skin will be sent to Wild Life Institute of India, Dehradun for chemical examination. Investigation is on.
