Nayagarh: Forest officials in Odisha’s Nayagarh district have arrested a woman and her son for allegedly possessing a leopard skin and a large cache of pangolin scales.
According to sources, Jyotsnarani Mallik and her son Pradeep Mallik were apprehended from their residence at Kujamendhi village under Daspalla range on Wednesday. One leopard skin and 164 pangolin scales were seized from the premises during the search. The duo has been produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody. Manhunt is underway for the third accused, believed to be the prime culprit involved in the actual hunting.
“We estimate that the leopard skin and pangolin scales were stored at the residence for the past two to three months. The animals were hunted in Phulbani by the main accused, who is currently absconding. We are actively tracking the prime suspect and will ensure he is apprehended soon,” DFO Debarchan Behera told the media.
