Balasore, Mar 19: Two Forest Department officials sustained severe injuries after being fired on by poachers during patrolling in Kuldiha Sanctuary in Odisha’s Balasore district on Monday.
The injured officials identified as Khitish Parida and Biranchi Jena of anti-poaching squad were rushed to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital then shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital for better treatment.
Forest officials received a tip-off and embarked on a patrolling mission to Kuldiha Sanctuary in the jungle at 8 pm upon learning that hunters had entered the forest. After hours of searching, they chased the hunters at 2 am and attempted to apprehend them. However, the hunters opened fire on the forest officials.
The two poachers– Sania Singh of Chekamara village and Guna Singh of Kainmagadia village– were arrested. As many as two country-made guns were seized from their possession.
Taking to X, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sushant Nanda wrote, on 19.03. 2024 at about 02.00 AM, staff of Kuldiha Range,Balasore Division came across two poachers inside Kuldiha Sanctuary.They have been arrested. Two staff were injured when fired upon. They are out of danger. Praying for their early recovery. Salutations to the team.
