2 Ivory Smugglers Held By Police In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Two persons were arrested and ivory weighing over 3 kg seized from them by the police near Sainik School Square in Bhubaneswar.

Police said the accused have been identified as Girish Kumar Nayak and Deepak Sahu,  both from Kandhamal district.

Acting on a tip-off about illegal smuggling of the wildlife items, Maitri Vihar police conducted a patrolling near Sainik School square and apprehended the duo while they were transporting the tusk on a moped on Sunday.

Three mobile phones and Rs 160 cash were also sezed from their possession, police said.

The two accused were later handed over to the forest ranger for initiation of further action under section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

It may be noted here that Odisha has witnessed a spurt in the deaths of many elephants in recent years.

Four poachers were arrested in connection with the killing of an elephant in Talabandha wildlife range of Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district in January. The poachers had killed the elephant and removed its tusks.