Operation safe Similipal; 3 poachers arrested, 8 country-made guns seized in special drive

A massive joint operation is currently underway in the fringe areas of Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district. Continuing with its crackdown, police on Saturday arrested three poachers and seized around eight country-made guns following raids at multiple places.

Inspector General of Police (Eastern Region) Himanshu Lal said that 16 weapons have already been seized in the special operation, which is continuing near Similipal for the past few days.

"The purpose of the drive is to sanitise the fringe area. It is also a part of a preventive measure to maintain the sanctity of Similipal. Our effort is to provide a safe environment for the tourists as well as to protect animals," said Lal.

The senior Odisha Police official also urged people to share information about the poachers and those keeping or manufacturing weapons.

Sources said the raid was conducted at Rentasahi village under Badasahi police limits on Friday night. Later, five more weapons were seized from forest.

Mayurbhanj SP B. Gangadhar said that the arrests were made based on reliable intelligence inputs.

"Already we have deployed 3 platoons of police force and soon another one more will be deployed to strengthen the security measures. There has been a substantial drop in criminal activities following the launch of the special drive," Gangadhar added.