Keonjhar: Police and Forest department personnel in Keonjhar district busted an ivory smuggling racket and arrested four suspects during a raid, along with the seizure of three elephant tusks.
Those arrested were identified as Birakishore Behera, 53, of Alisha Bazar in Cuttack, Arun Kumar Sahu, 35, of Parabila, Pradip Kumar Singh, 50, of Bhagamunda, and Pratap Behera, 36, of Paika Sahi in Angul district.
This was stated here by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dhanraj HD at a presser Sunday. The DFO said that a joint patrol team comprising police and forest personnel conducted a raid near a crusher unit in Talakaipur village under Bansapal block around 9pm September 26, following a tip-off from the police intelligence unit. They noticed some persons engaged in suspicious activities, while several suspects fled when officers arrived.
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However, the joint team nabbed Birakishore and Arun from the spot and recovered three tusks from a white plastic bag in their possession. One of the tusks was 51 cm long, weighing 2.026 kg, another 28 cm long and 0.600 kg, and a third 20 cm long, weighing 0.387 kg. The accused failed to produce any legal documents supporting their possession of the tusks.
During interrogation, the accused Arun confessed that he had purchased the seized ivory from Pradip Kumar Singh of Bhagamunda in Angul district.
Based on his statement, a joint team led by Keonjhar Assistant Conservator of Forests Sudipta Kumar Panda, Bhuyan Juang Pirha Range Officer Nayanakanta Sahu, Sadar police Sub-Inspector Manas Ranjan Panda and forest guard Chandrakanta Mohanty of the Bhuyan Juang Pirha range proceeded to Angul.
With the help of local forest officials, they arrested Pradip from his residence early Saturday morning. During questioning, Pradip admitted to the crime and revealed the involvement of his associate, Pratap. The team later arrested Pratap from Paika Sahi village.
The Forest department registered a case (34/2025) and produced the accused persons in court. The DFO said that the accused were believed to possess four tusks, of which one is still missing.
Efforts are underway to recover the remaining tusk and apprehend others involved. Authorities have urged the public to report any suspicious activity related to wildlife crime.
PNN
