Forester Shot Dead in Similipal, 2nd Forest Official Killed by Poaches in a Month

Baripada: A forester named Mathy Hansda (45) was shot dead by a group of poachers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve. He was lethally injured during an exchange of fire between six armed poachers and forest officials on Friday night.

Hansda was hit in the chest. Although he was rushed to the Karanjia Su-Divisional Hospital, doctors declared him brought dead.

The group of poachers managed to escape from the spot taking advantage of darkness and forest terrain. A gun used by the poachers was seized from the spot.

It was the second killing of a forest department official in the Similipal sanctuary within a month. On May 22, a forest guard, Bimal Kumar Jena (35) was shot dead by poachers while he was patrolling in the bordering areas of Pithabata south range and Nawna north range.