Keonjhar: Forest officials from Anandpur wildlife division arrested two suspected poachers during a night patrol in Barang reserve forest on Wednesday. The accused, residents of Nuamalia village, were caught while allegedly attempting to hunt deer in the protected area. Officials recovered hunting equipment, including fassis (a kind of a belt), from their possession.
“The suspects were found trespassing in a restricted forest area without authorisation. Based on the evidence collected and their confession, we have arrested them under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act,” said Abhay Dalai, divisional forest officer, Anandpur forest division. The accused will be produced before the local court on Thursday, an official confirmed.