Baripada: Three more poachers including a former sarpanch were arrested Friday in connection with the recent murder of a forest guard in Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district. The arrests were made in a joint operation by Baripada police and Forest personnel and as many as 10 country guns were seized from their possession during the raid. It has been found that the former sarpanch identified as Buddhadeb Singh was involved in the crime. The other two poachers have been identified as Sukalal Marndi and Dugul Singh. Balasore SP Sagarika Nath, who is also in charge of Mayurbhanj district, had told the media that police had identified all five suspects. Two of the accused were arrested early Tuesday.
Notably, 35-year-old forest guard Bimal Kumar Jena was shot dead by a group of poachers Monday. Bimal was on patrolling duty in the bordering areas of Similipal Tiger Reserve. As per police sources, the joint combing operation is going on and it will continue until all the poachers involved in the murder case are arrested.
