The Special Task Force (STF) with the help of forest officials conducted a raid on Tuesday and seized a leopard skin near the Chaitani bus-stop under the Bisoi police station in Mayurbhanj district and arrested two wildlife smugglers while they were striking a deal for sale of the hide.
The arrested were identified as Ajit Kumar Giri of Palas Bani under the Rairangpur PS and Shyam Kurji of Jagularghara under the Khunta PS in Mayubhanj. During search, besides the leopard skin, two M/Cs and other incriminating materials were seized from possession of accused. The accused could not produce any valid authority in support of possession of skin, for which they were detained and handed over to Rairangapur forest officials for necessary legal action. Further Investigation is on. In 2020, in special drives against wildlife criminals and poachers, the STF has seized as many as 19 leopard skins, 10 elephant tusks, two deer skin, five live pangolin and 15 kg pangolin scales and arrested 39 wildlife criminals, the STF said.