Three poachers arrested with country-made guns in Similipal buffer zone, one escapes

In a joint anti-poaching operation, the Kaptipada Forest Division and Special Tiger Protection Force arrested three poachers inside the buffer zone of the Similipal Tiger Reserve. The arrests were made near the Not Beat area, and three country-made guns and six live rounds of ammunition were seized from the accused.

According to forest officials, four poachers had entered the forest on a hunting mission when the patrol team spotted and intercepted them. While one managed to escape, the remaining three were apprehended after a brief chase. The operation was part of a routine patrolling effort aimed at curbing illegal hunting activities in the ecologically sensitive region.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Jagannath Nayak, Buddhiram Singh, and Kuanr Murmu. All three hails from nearby villages and are suspected to be habitual offenders involved in illegal hunting practices.

“During joint patrolling, we spotted four persons and three of them were armed with country-made guns. They had come to the area for poaching inside STR area. We have nabbed three persons and efforts on to nab the absconding one,” said Achyutananda Das, Ranger (Kaptipada Forest Range).

Forest officials believe the group was targeting wild animals using traditional country-made firearms. The weapons, along with the live ammunition, were confiscated and will be sent for forensic analysis.

“Such operations are being intensified to protect the wildlife of Similipal, especially in the buffer and core zones vulnerable to poaching,” said a senior forest official from the Kaptipada division.

Legal action under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act has been initiated against the accused. A manhunt is also underway to nab the fourth suspect who fled the scene.

Similipal, one of India's key tiger reserves, has long faced threats from poachers and timber smugglers. Authorities have been increasing surveillance and manpower to curb such illegal activities and protect its diverse flora and fauna.