Tiger skin seizure in Keonjhar: 3 more from family of accused arrested

A day after apprehending the prime accused in connection with the seizure of Royal Bengal Tiger skin in Harichandanpur block of Keonjhar, the forest department arrested three more members of the same family on Saturday.

As per reports, the forest officials seized the skin of the poached tiger which was 7 feet in length from Rebana reserve forest of Anandapur Wildlife Division. Taking immediate action, the forest officials arrested one person on Friday. 

The forest officials found the involvement of some other persons in the incident during their investigation. On Saturday, the officials arrested the father and two brothers of the prime accused.

During the interrogation, the poachers reportedly admitted to killing the tiger by offering poison-laced carcass of a buffalo. 

Anandapur DFO Ajit Kumar Satpathy informed that last month the tiger had attacked two buffalos belonging to the family of the accused and killed one of them in the forest. In a fit of rage and to avenge the death of their domestic animal, the family of the accused spread poison on the carcass of the buffalo. 

The tiger died after eating the poisoned-laced carcass.