Bantala: A 22-year-old hunter was arrested, and three sambar antlers and a country-made gun were seized during a forest department patrol in the Satkosia Wildlife Division in Anugola district, officials said Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Sri Krishna Naik of Bipradiha village under Thakurgada police station, was intercepted near the Laxmanpur check gate in the Baghamunda section of Purunakote range Tues day, forest department sources said.
His associate allegedly escaped while being chased by forest personnel. Purunakote Forester Chaitan ya Pradhan, Jitendra Nayak, and forest guards Alima Pradhan and Kashyap Sahu were conducting a search operation in the Baghamunda section at about 11am when they spotted two men carrying a country-made gun.
The two fled after seeing the forest personnel, who chased them towards the Laxmanpur check gate. While Naik was caught, the other man managed to escape.
During questioning at the forest office, Naik allegedly admitted to hunting and told officials that he had three sambar antlers at his house.
Forest personnel subsequently recovered the antlers from his residence. Naik was produced in court Wednesday.
Satkosia DFO Ga dadhar Patra said efforts were underway to apprehend the absconding suspect.