Berhampur: A 28-year-old man was killed after a crude bomb, allegedly planted by poachers to hunt wild animals, exploded while he was grazing pigs near Mathura village under Sanakhemundi block of Odisha’s Ganjam district, raising fresh concerns over the growing menace of illegal wildlife hunting in the region.
The deceased, identified as G. Raja of Nuamalabhanja village, reportedly sustained grievous injuries when he accidentally kicked the explosive device lying near a pond-side agricultural field on Sunday morning. The powerful blast severely damag
ed his legs and lower body.
Raja was initially rushed to the Digapahandi Community Health Centre and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, in a critical condition. However, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment in the afternoon.
Following a complaint lodged by the victim’s father, G. Krishna, Digapahandi police registered a case and began an investigation. The body was seized for post-mortem examination and later handed over to the family for last rites.
The incident has brought renewed focus on illegal hunting practices in the Digapahandi forest belt, where poachers are allegedly using explosives and electrified traps to target wild animals. Forest officials have conducted several anti-poaching operations in recent years, including arrests linked to wild boar hunting and elephant deaths caused by illegal electric fencing.
Digapahandi Ranger Divya Ranjan Sahu described the incident as highly sensitive and said forest personnel regularly conduct patrols and awareness drives in vulnerable villages. He urged local residents to share information about poaching activities to help curb wildlife crimes and prevent such tragedies in the future.