In a major development, Mayurbhanj Police on Saturday arrested 10 persons for their involvement in killing Forester Mati Hansda.
Hansda was shot dead allegedly by poachers inside the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) on June 16. The forest team of which Hansda was a member had intercepted a gang of poachers in the range. Seeing the forest officials, the poachers opened fire. In the gunfighting, Forester Hansda sustained bullet injury on his chest. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. However, he succumbed later.
Informing about the development, Mayurbhanj SP, B Gangadhar said, “Following the incident, we had registered a case under Sections 302 and 34 of IPC. Then we had constituted a search team and a team for investigation with the involvement of the cyber cell. After collecting evidence, we carried out repeated raids and searches. After their involvement was proven, we arrested 10 persons who have poaching antecedents. We arrested them from Edelbeda village under Thakurmunda Police limits.”
The police seized two country-made firearms and bows and arrows from the arrested persons. Later in the day, they were produced in a court.