Baripada: Police have arrested seven persons in connection with the poaching of an elephant and recovered tusk from their possession in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
According to sources, a joint team of Bisoi police and personnel of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) conducted raid at three places following reliable information about the poachers striking a deal for sale of the rusks late Saturday night. The team comprising over 50 personnel carried out the raids at Rugudidiha and Matiali Sahi.
During the raid, the team arrested 7 persons, who were involved in the poaching of the elephant in STR. They also recovered tusks kept hidden by one of them in the backyard of his house.
It may be noted that decomposed body of the elephant with its tusks missing was found in Talabandha wildlife range of STR on January 21.
The arrested persons admitted to have killed the elephant and removed its tusks, the sources said.
