By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: On the basis of reliable information, a team of STF conducted raid with the help of Forest Officials of Deogarh Forest Division on Thursday morning on NH- 149 (Banarpal-Pallahara road) near Ranja Chowk under Pallahara PS Jurisdiction of Angul district regarding dealing/possession of wildlife products by wildlife criminals, as a result of one wildlife criminals namely Ajit Bagha (26), S/o-Prassana Bagha, Vill-Tampar, PO-Pallahara, PS-Pallahara in Angul was apprehended.
During search one Live Pangolin along with other incriminating materials were recovered from his possession. The accused person could not produce any authority in support of possession of such Live Pangolin, for which hehas been apprehended. In this connection STF PS Case No.30 dated 15.12.2023U/s 379/411 IPC r/w. Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered and the accused person will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM,Pallahara.
The Live Pangolin also handed over to Forest Range Officer, Palahara for safe custody. Investigation is going on. The Indian pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata), also called thick-tailed pangolin, scaly anteater 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.Special drive against the wildlife criminals/poachers is continuing.
