Deogarh: Forest department personnel arrested six persons near Chhatabar Ghat in Deogarh for allegedly smuggling a leopard skin from Sundergarh to Sambalpur district late on Monday.
Two of the accused were identified as Debendra Ranachuria (36) of Tileibani area and Sanatan Luhura (19) of Barkote area.
Acting on tip-off, Deogarh Forest Ranger Kusha Charan Singh and Forester Prasanna Sahu and their team duped the smugglers by posing as customers for the leopard skin.
“We got information that the smugglers will sell a leopard skin. Then we formed a team and trapped them,” said Deogarh DFO Khyama Sarangi.
“We have seized the leopard skin, which is 1.05 metre long, We have arrested six persons in this connection and also seized a Bolero car from their possession. Further investigation is on. We suspect that more persons involved in this racket,” she added.
The seized leopard hide is estimated to be worth around Rs 2 lakh, sources said.
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