Baripada: Police have arrested 10 persons for alleged involvement in the murder of forester Mati Hansdah in Similipal sanctuary under Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
According to sources, all the arrested persons belong to Edelbeda village under Thakurmunda police station in the district. They are Turi Kandeyan, Ramai Kandeyan, Mora Ho, Manikram Kandeyan, Gopabandhu Kandeyan, Dillip Kandeyan, Ramsingh Gundua, Singa Ho, Gameya Ho and Champai Ho.
The police have seized 2 country-made rifles, 2 bows, 3 arrows, 2 axes and an iron rod from the possession of the arrested persons. Further investigation is on to ascertain involvement of others, said the sources.
It may be noted that the incident occurred when a team of Forest officials including Hansda was carrying out patrolling inside Similipal Sanctuary at Gamuchajharan on the intervening night of June 16 and 17. During the operation, an exchange of fire broke out between the team members and a group of poachers.
When the forest officials intercepted the poachers, the latter opened fire. Hansda, who sustained bullet injury on his chest, was rushed to the hospital following the attack. But he succumbed to the injury.
