Bhubaneswar, Aug 9: In a major crackdown against the poachers, the Mayurbhanj Police have arrested 21 of them and seized 165 country-made guns from 14 Police jurisdictions during the last two months.
Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police B Gangadhar addressing a press conference at Baripada here on Wednesday said that Police also recovered 500 gm of gunpowder, raw materials, pangolin scale and deer antlers from the possession of the accused during raids at multiple locations during the period.
DGP S K Bansal was present at the press meet.
The SP said the crackdown was launched after the poachers shot dead two forest officials—Forester Mathi Hansda and Forest Guard B K Jena in Simlipal National park posing a serious threat to the lives of forest officials.
While the forest guard was shot dead in May last, the other forester was gunned down in June last.
The killing of the two forest officials created widespread resentment and the forest officials in Similipal went on a strike demanding security for them forcing the administration to launch the crackdown jointly by Police and forest officials.
