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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Four elephant tusks seized, five arrested in Odisha's Keonjhar
BHUBANESWAR: In a major crackdown on smuggling of wildlife items in the state, forest officials on Friday seized four elephant tusks and arrested five persons in this connection from Keonjhar. The Similipal Wildlife Intelligence Network (SWIN) played a crucial role in the raid jointly carried out by the Keonjhar Territorial Division and officials of the Similipal Tiger Reserve, said PCCF wildlife and chief wildlife warden (CWW) Prem Kumar Jha. Jha said, the seizure and arrests mark a significant step towards curbing poaching and illicit wildlife trade in the region. Based on the intelligence input of SWIN, a special action team was formed under Keonjhar DFO Dhanraj Hanumant Dhamdhere and ACF Sudipta Panda. The team carried out raid on the house of one Gangadhara Patra in Balibeda village under Banspal beat in Suakati section on Friday morning and seized four elephant tusks from the possession of five persons. Other incriminating materials including four mobile phones and two motorcycles were also seized from their possession. The accused Patra along with four others Narada Munda from Jambhiriposi, Krishna Chandra Munda from Jodapokhari, Ghasiram Munda from Baradapal in Keonjhar and Kedarnath Patra from Bhaliadiha in Mayurbhanj district have been booked under various sections of Wildlife Protection Act 1972, said the Keonjhar DFO. He said the length of the four seized tusks were in the range of 15.5 to 22 inch, while the overall weight was about five kg.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
5 arrested with 4 elephant tusks in Keonjhar
1 2 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. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
