FOREST DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A SMUGGLER WITH A DEAD SAMBAR AND A WEAPON

FOREST DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A SMUGGLER WITH A DEAD SAMBAR AND A WEAPON

28-NOV-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA----------------------------Another case of wildlife smuggling has come to light in the Adhora hilly area. On the instructions of DFO Sanjeev Ranjan, the Forest Department conducted a special raid late last night and uncovered the illegal poaching of the prohibited sambar. One smuggler was arrested with a weapon, while five others escaped under the cover of darkness.

It was around 1 a.m. last night when a Forest Department patrol team received a tip-off that some smugglers were poaching wild animals in the Garhwa forest between Karar and Tala villages. Upon receiving the information, the team arrived at the scene, cordoned off the area, and began the raid.

Forest personnel recovered a dead sambar weighing approximately 250 kg, a Scorpio vehicle, sharp weapons used for cutting meat, and bags containing meat. Investigation revealed that the smugglers had shot the sambar twice and were preparing to sell the meat.

We maintain strict vigilance against wildlife smuggling in the district. Such crimes will not be tolerated under any circumstances. A manhunt is underway to arrest the absconding accused.

During the raid, the team arrested one smuggler on the spot. During interrogation, he identified himself as Shakeel Ahmed, a resident of Adhaura, Kaimur district. Weapons were recovered from him and confiscated. Five smugglers took advantage of the darkness of the night and fled into the forest.

Forest department officials stated that a joint police and forest department team is conducting a search operation to locate the absconding accused. Initial investigations have revealed an increase in wildlife smuggling in the area over the past few months, prompting the department to intensify patrols. The arrested smuggler is currently being interrogated, and an intensive search operation is underway in the area to apprehend the absconding accused.