Post News Network
Mathili, Jan 10: Forest department officials raided Karapalli village under Mathili forest range in Malkangiri district and arrested a person while the latter was trying to sell a leopard hide Saturday.
The hide and a mobile phone were seized from accused Sanyasi Nayak’s possession.
Forest officials claim it is the first of its kind incident in the district and suspected the involvement of four to five persons in the crime, said assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Srikant Nayak at a press meet held at Gobindpalli forest office Sunday.
Acting on a tip-off, the forest officials posing as prospective buyers spoke to Sanyasi over phone and called him to a particular place to purchase the hide.
While Sanyasi demanded Rs 50,000 for the hide the price was finally settled at Rs 40,000. The accused was caught when he showed the hide to officials in guise of buyers. The accused has admitted to having killed the leopard about two months ago.
Divisional forest officer T Ashok Kumar was also present at the press meet. PNN
