Bhubaneswar: The forest department staff who was the only eyewitness in the alleged poaching and burning of the carcass of a wild tusker in the Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district succumbed during treatment at the SCB Medical College & Hospital late Thursday night.
The deceased identified as Turam Purty had consumed poison on December 11 after being allegedly threatened by the forest officials who were involved in the incident. He was admitted to Karanjia Sub Divisional Hospital and later shifted to PRM Medical College & Hospital at Baripada.
As his condition worsened he was again shifted to SCB Medical College & Hospital in Cuttack and was being kept under observation. However, he died during the course of treatment.
Reportedly, some forest staff had burnt an elephant carcass and threw the charred remains to a nearby stream to destroy the evidence after poachers killed the jumbo and removed its tusks in the core area of the tiger reserve.
Purty had reported the matter to higher authorities. Following it, a probe was conducted and three forest officials had been suspended. They were subsequently arrested.
The forest officials had threatened Purty to remain silent. Fearing for his life, Purty had consumed poison. His death is a huge setback to the investigation.
