Baripada : The Forest department has arrested four wanted poachers from the Udala area in the district. The arrested poachers have been identified as Mahato Kisku, Thupul Hembram, Nitai Murmu and Saru Murmu.
These poachers were hunting tigers in the various forests of Odisha and several cases of wildlife crime are pending against them. Mahato Kisku was arrested by the Crime Branch some two-and-a-half years ago, but he managed to escape somehow. The Crime Branch has seized tiger skin and teeth from his possession. Now, the Forest department will hand him over to the Crime Branch STF.
Similarly, when Thupul Hembram was interrogated, he confessed to hunting tigers. Four tiger teeth, some poisons, an indigenous gun and ammunition and more than 80 arrows were seized from his possession.
Two other arrested poachers Nitai Murmu and Saru Murmu of Manikpur area under the Udala police limits have been accused of keeping guns at home illegally for hunting purpose.