Odisha forest department officials nabbed four poachers from Kendumundi under Karanjia Forest Division in Mayurbhanj on Thursday. During the operation, the officials recovered pangolin scales weighing 3.6kg and three mobile phones from their possession.
The four accused have been identified as Gourang Mankadia, Manik Deogam, Matu Ho, and Salai Sidu from the Kendumundi area.
Acting on a tip-off, the officials caught the accused red-handed while they were allegedly striking a deal to sell the scales, informed STR Field Director, Prakash Gogineni.
“A case has been registered and all the four accused have been produced before a court. They are being interrogated to determine whether they are involved in the killings of the pangolins in Similipal forest or acquired the scales from other parties,” Gogineni said.