Keonjhar: The Forest department staff today arrested three timber thieves who were felling trees in Ataei reserve forest under Anandpur wildlife division in Keonjhar district.
The arrested persons have been identified as Mochiram Murmu, Bubu Das and Pitha Murmu of Ostapur village under Ghasipura police limits.
The Forest staff caught the trio red handed during patrolling in the reserve forest.
"Matchboxes, cutting saw, Sal timber and three cycles were seized from the possession of the three arrested persons," informed Naba Kishore Nayak, Forester of Anandpur.
The Forest department is quizzing the trio to elicit further information, he added.