9 poachers arrested with firearms, sambar meat in Similipal

Baripada: Security personnel of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district caught nine poachers and seized nine homemade guns along with 30 kg of sambar meat during a patrolling operation inside the reserve on Friday night. Another 32 armed hunters managed to escape.

The arrested persons have been identified as Anjan Kumar Singh (28), Lugu Mahali (35), Somay Soren (28), Muchiram Soren (40), Turam Singh (35), Fakir Mohan Singh (20), Sonatan Mahali (45). Made as. Upper Taladiha village, Raisen Murmu (20) of Khaladi village and Mangal Singh (30) of Jamdiha village. All nine are from areas under Udala police limits.

Regional chief conservator of forests-cum-field director of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) Prakash Chand Gogineni said around 40 hunters from Upper Taladiha, Jamdiha and Khaladi villages entered the Jenabil range within the Similipal Tiger Reserve on Friday night. Forest personnel from Podadiha and Dukura ranges, along with the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), found them inside the forest during their night patrolling.
Upon interception, 31 hunters managed to escape under cover of darkness, while nine were arrested. Illegal firearms along with 30 kg of sambar meat and other hunting material were seized from the accused.

Preliminary investigation revealed that hunters were hunting Sambar inside the forest.
The nine arrested poachers have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Arms Act. He has been sent to judicial custody as his bail plea was rejected by the court.
Gogineni said further investigation is underway to identify and arrest the remaining accused.
Environmentalists have called for strict vigilance around the STR to prevent poaching activities and protect the park’s wildlife, especially as the Panna Sankranti festival approaches. During this festival, tribal communities traditionally engage in mass hunting and offer the meat to their deities.