Odisha Police Clamp Down on Poaching, Seize 227 Firearms from Similipal Sanctuary

Baripada: In a major crackdown on poaching, police have seized a total of 227 illegal firearms from the Similipal sanctuary in Odisha. The operation carried out in two phases, resulted in the arrest of 26 poachers.

The first phase of the raids, conducted in August, yielded 156 firearms. The second phase, which concluded recently, saw the seizure of 71 more weapons.

The crackdown was prompted by the tragic killing of two forest department officials by poachers a few months ago. Three platoons of police forces were deployed within the sanctuary to apprehend poachers who had been operating with impunity and causing harm to the wildlife.

Police also dismantled an illegal gun manufacturing unit on the fringes of the forest in July. The unit was producing country-made guns, which were in high demand among poachers.

The recent actions are expected to have a positive impact on wildlife conservation within the sanctuary, with a decline in poaching activities anticipated.