Two Suspected Poachers Arrested with Firearms Near Kaliapani Mining Area
Jajpur: In a major crackdown on illegal hunting activities, Kaliapani Police arrested two suspected poachers after forest department camera traps captured them moving through a reserve forest with firearms near the Kaliapani mining region.
The action was initiated following a review of footage recorded by hidden camera traps installed in the Tikarpada reserve forest under the Anandapur Forest Division.
The footage reportedly showed two individuals carrying guns inside the forest area, prompting forest officials to alert law enforcement authorities.
Acting on the complaint, Kaliapani Police launched an investigation and identified the suspects from the surveillance footage.
An early morning raid was subsequently carried out in Tikarpada village, leading to the arrest of Mathura Birua (31) and Chata Juanga (25), both residents of the village.
Police registered separate cases under the Arms Act and produced the accused before the court.
Authorities are now investigating whether the two men were involved in wildlife poaching activities in the forest region.
The incident highlights the growing role of technology-driven wildlife surveillance in detecting illegal activities and strengthening forest protection efforts in Odisha’s sensitive wildlife habitats. (Editorial context)
