Nayagarh (Odisha): The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police on Sunday arrested two persons in connection with wildlife trafficking in Nayagarh district.
The STF has seized one leopard skin and elephant tusks from the accused persons, identified as Ramesh Pratihari of Chakragada under Narsinghpur police limits in Cuttack district and Bimbadhar Tarei of Bethia Sahi village under Gania Police Station in Nayagarh district.
Acting on reliable inputs, the STF conducted a raid on Gania-Chamundia road in Nayagarh district.
During the raid, one leopard skin and two numbers of elephant tusks and other incriminating materials were seized from two persons' possession.
"The accused persons could not produce any valid authority in support of the possession of such leopard skin and elephant tusks for which they have been arrested," a police official said.
"A case has been registered in this connection under sections 379/411/120(B) of IPC r/w 51 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The seized leopard skin and elephant tusks will be sent to Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, for chemical examination," the official added.
So far, the STF has seized 13 leopard skins, nine elephant tusks, two deer skins, three live pangolin, and five pangolin scales and arrested 27 persons in the special drive against wildlife criminals and poachers in the last year.
A total of 15 cases has been registered so far against wildlife criminals in the state.
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