Baripada: The Odisha Forest Department has arrested three forest personnel in connection with the burning of an elephant carcass in Shimilipal National Park to cover up the poaching case. The Forest Department had earlier placed them under suspension. The three arrested Forest Department personnel are Jenabil ranger Sankar Samal, forester Chandrabhanu Behera and forest guard Binod Das.
The action comes after the Orissa High Court yesterday raised serious concerns over the rampant killing of elephants and the inaction of the Forest Department in dealing with the issue. The High Court had reprimanded the PCCF and JTF in this case. The High Court also questioned why no action was taken against the three suspended employees. The next hearing of the case will be held on the 22nd December.
An elephant tusker was killed by poachers in Jenabi area and the forest department personnel on the ground tried to conceal the fact by burning the carcass and throwing the body parts in the nearby river. The incident was reported to the higher authorities by the villagers after which the action was taken and three forest personnel involved were arrested.