Rourkela: In a joint operation by the forest divisions of Ranchi and Rourkela, an interstate Alexandrine parakeet smuggler was nabbed from the Bondamunda area, here on Saturday evening.
Jasabanta Sethi, divisional forest officer of Rourkela forest division, was informed by Ranchi forest division that the accused, Muna Sahu, was involved in an Alexandrine parakeet smuggling racket. He was involved in the transportation of 94 Alexandrine parakeets to Ranchi forest division through Manoharpur, and they were reportedly destined for Bangladesh.
Two men from whom the parakeets were seized, had spilled Muna’s name during their interrogation following their arrest by Ranchi forest division.
Officials of Rourkela forest division started tracking Muna’s number and finally traced his location to Bondamunda. A joint team, led by assistant conservator of forest (Rourkela forest division) Soumya Ranjan Gochhayat, forest officials from both divisions and two officials from the wildlife crime bureau nabbed Muna.
After arresting him, he was taken to Ranchi for further interrogation. Sources said Muna played the role of middleman in the parakeet smuggling racket.
“Ranchi forest division nabbed and arrested the accused from Bondamunda here in a joint operation with Rourkela forest division, and the accused, after being taken from here by officials of the Ranchi forest division, was sent to jail there,” said Gochhayat.
It must be mentioned that Muna was jailed in Jan last year for a similar offence. He was released from prison after three months.