Two Held With Live Pangolin In Khurda
Bureau,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar:The Special Task Force (STF) team of Odisha Police has arrested two persons with the seizure of a live pangolin in Khurda district on Friday.
The arrestees have been identified as Kailash Khosala of Tujung in Kalahandi district and Chaitanya Bhatra of Palapur in Nabarangpur district.
Acting on reliable input, the officials intercepted the vehicle on the service road of NH-16.
On searching, the cops found a live pangolin along with other incriminating materials. Upon asking, the accused persons failed to produce any valid documents in support of the possession of live Pangolin, the officials said.
Following this, a case (34/21) under sections 379/411/120(B) of IPC & Sec 51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1973.
On the other hand, the pangolin will be handed over to Wild Life Warden for safe custody, officials informed.
According to STF official on the basis of reliable information, STF team conducted raid on the service road of NH-16 i.e. in between Gurujanga-Pitapalli, Khordha about transporting/ deal of sale of live Pangolin by wild life criminals today morning i.e. 08.10.2021, as a result of which two accused persons namely 1) Kailash Khosala S/o. Rama Prasad Khosala of Tujung PO/PS. M Rampur Dist. Kalahandi and 2) Chaitanya Bhatra S/o. Jagabandhu Bhatra of Palapur, Sirisahi PS. Papadahandi Dist. Nawarangpur were apprehended. During search one live Pangolin, one TATA Indigo Car bearing Regd No. OD 24 A 5569 and other incriminating materials were seized from their possession. The accused persons could not produce any valid authority in support of possession of live Pangolin, for which they have arrested and will be forwarded to the court. In this connection STF PS Case no. 34 dated. 08.10.2021 U/s. 379/411/120(B) IPC & Sec 51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1973 was registered The live Pangolin will be handed over to DFO, Khordha Wild Life Warden for safe custody.
The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater and bajrakapta ‘ବଜ୍ରକାପ୍ତା‘ in Odia is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal. It is a schedule-I protected animal under Wild Life Protection act, 1972. Schedule I provides absolute protection – offences under these are prescribed for the highest penalties.
During last one year, Special drive against the wildlife criminals/poachers have been launched, STF has seized as many as 16 nos Leopard skin, 09 nos Elephant Tusk, 02 deer skin, 05 live pangolin and 15 kg pangolin scales and arrested 35 wild life criminals.
STF is the specialized wing of Odisha Police to curb the organized crime in the State. Wild life crimes remain the one of the focus area of STF and STF will continue its drive against the wild life crime and criminals
