5 arrested with 4 elephant tusks in Keonjhar
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Keonjhar: Forest officials on Friday arrested five individuals allegedly involved in ivory trafficking in Keonjhar district. Authorities seized four tusks weighing a total of 5.058kg from the accused.
The accused were identified as Gangadhar Patra, 41, from Balibeda village, Narada Munda, 25, from Jambhiripasi, Janardan Munda, 45, from Jodapokhari, and Ghashiram Munda, 30, from Bardapal, all in Keonjhar district, and Kedarnath Patra, 49, from Bhaliadihi village in Mayurbhanj district.
The raid was conducted at Gangadhar's residence around 11am, following intelligence from the Similipal Wildlife Intelligence Network.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Keonjhar divisional forest officer Dhanraj H D, with a team led by assistant conservator of forests, Sudipta Panda. The team included Bhuyan Juang Pidha range officer Nayankant Sahu and several foresters and forest guards.
"Information was received about illegal tusk trade in Balibeda village. Upon receiving intelligence, our team conducted a raid at Gangadhar's house, resulting in the arrest of all accused and the recovery of four tusks. Four mobile phones and two bikes were also seized. The accused have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act, and further investigation is ongoing," said the DFO.
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