By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK: On the basis of reliable information, STF team conducted a raid near village Abhimanpur under Cuttack district about a deal of sale of live Pangolin by wild lifecriminals on 16.04.2021, as a result of which one accused persons namely Keshab Sahoo of village Abhimanpur was apprehended. One Live Pangolin and other incriminating materials were seized from his possession. The accused person could not produce any valid authority in support of possession of such live pangolin, for which he has been arrested. In this connection STF PS Case No.14 dated 16.04.2021U/s. 379/411/120(B) IPC r/w. 51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 was registered.
The seized live pangolin will be handed over to DFO cum Wild life Warden, Athagarh for safe custody. Further investigation is on.The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scalyanteater and bajrakapta ‘ବଜ୍ରକାପ୍ତା’ in Odia is a solitary, shy, slow-moving, nocturnal mammal. It is a schedule I protected animal under Wild Life Protection act,1972. Schedule I provides absolute protection – offences under these are prescribed for the highest penalties.
During last one year, Special driver against the wildlife criminals/poachers have been launched, STF has seized as many as 12 nos Leopard skin, 06 nos Elephant Tusk, 02 deer skin, 03 live pangolin and 05 kg pangolin scales and arrested 25 wild life criminals. Al total 14 cases have been registered against the wild life criminals.STF is the specialized wing of Odisha Police to curb the organized crime in the State.
