Six poachers arrested in Similipal

BARIPADA: In a joint raid by forest officials and wildlife activists, six poachers were arrested from Chandabila village under Bisoi range of Rairangpur Forest Division of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district on Friday.A panther’s hide and 10 deer horns were seized from them. The poachers have been identified as Sanka Tudu and Dhanurdaya Soren, both of  Salaghati village, Suna Soren of  Chandabila village, Mana Sethi of Damuhana village, Pradhan Hembrum of Dantiakacha village and Saitha Kisku of Bramhanigaon.“Saitha Kisku was the prime accused, who, along with five others, had killed a  panther by giving it poisoned meat two months ago. Elks and deer were also killed during that time,” Bisoi ranger Ghanashyam Mohanta said.A forest official said the gang had been planning to sell the wildlife items to a dealer from West Bengal, who was about to reach Chandabila. Efforts are on to track the dealer. Sources said the gang had been operating in the area for a long time. They killed wild animals and supplied their skins and horns to dealers from other States.