In a shocking incident, the STF of Crime Branch on Sunday recovered two half-burnt carcasses and bones of tuskers from forest range under Dhama Range in Sambalpur district.
The first carcass was recovered from Tabaloi-Deogaon reserve forest while the other carcass was recovered from Kalogaon reserve forest.
Preliminary probe reveals, the tusks of both the elephants were missing.
It is suspected that the poachers tried to destroy the carcasses to erase evidence.
However, locals alleged that the poachers fled with the tusks and it was the forest officials who burnt the carcasses after failing to nab the hunters.
However, no exact reason behind the incident has been ascertained so far.
The STF team has seized the half-burnt carcasses and sent it for examination.
The DFO has assured that stringent action would be taken against those responsible behind the killing of the tuskers.
“A team had visited the reserve forests and recovered the half-burnt carcasses and bones. The seized items have been sent for examination. Strict action will be taken against those responsible for the killing of the tuskers,” briefed DFO Biswanath Neelanwar, Sambalpur.
“We have seized some half-burnt bones. Investigation is on to confirm if the bones are of elephants or any other wild animals,” said Dilip Pradhan, STF inspector.
“It is very sad to say that the poachers have fled with the tusks after killing the tuskers. However, instead of arresting the poachers, the forest officials themselves set the carcasses on fire and tried to burn it to erase evidence. So, it is very important to take lie-detector test and arrest the officials behind the burning of the carcasses,” demanded Suvendu Mallik, Honorary Wildlife warden.