Dhenkanal: In a heartrending incident, two youths on their motorcycle were electrocuted after coming in contact with electric wires laid to poach boars at Jhaadaberini village under Kanta Baniya police limits in this district, Wednesday.
Both were co-brothers, and hailed from Raila village (Dhenkanal) and Tentulai village (Angul). Both died immediately on the spot.
On receipt of information, police reached the spot and launched an investigation into the matter. The bodies were seized and sent for autopsy to Hindol sub-divisional hospital.
The incident occurred while the two brothers were on their way to witness a dance program in a neighbour villag. Some villagers had spread a live wire on the fields to capture boars, which incidentally was stepped by the duo.
A pall of gloom descended on the village following the mishap. The people have raised hue and cry over deaths due to traps.
The method includes using a wired trap or fence, which draws power from a high tension electric line, usually passing through nearby village. This is used to kill the animals, either by placing it on their preffered routes or through the water bodies they use.
The main targets are herbivorous animals, like rabbits, hare, boars, deer whose meat is then sold for premium rates. While the death of tigers, leopards and humans are significant, they are usually reported. But, the deaths of herbivorous animals rarely merit enquiries, especially as the bodies sometimes vanish without a trace.
“There needs to be multi-department patrolling if this poaching method is to be curbed. If people are seen drawing electricity at night, it’s mainly for poaching purposes. If officials from the power department and the forest department increase vigilance, it might help contain these deaths,” the sarpanch said.
“Poachers also feel this is a safer method and that people will be less suspicious in the case of electrocution, unlike snares and poison which leave trails,” he added.
Meanwhile, angry villagers demanded probe and stringent action against the poachers. It may be noted here that, the death of 7 elephants due to electrocution by a low-hanging live wire in Dhenkanal shook the State.
PNN
