Elephant tusks seized in Odisha, three held

Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Police today seized three pieces of elephant tusks and arrested three persons in this connection in Jajpur.

On the basis of reliable information, the STF team this morning conducted a raid at Kabatbandha Chhak near Brahmani bridge in Jajpur, where a deal for sale of the tusks was underway.

The accused have been identified as Pitabas Barik of Bhagabanpur, Keonjhar, Ananda Mahakud of Barbil, Keonjhar and Ambuja Pradhan of Kabatbandha, Jajpur.

Apart from the tusks, incriminating materials were seized from their possession. The trio could not produce any valid document in support of possession of the elephant tusks.

They were forwarded to the Court of JMFC, Chandikhol. A case under Sections 379 and 411 of the IPC, and 51 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been registered.

The seized elephant tusks will be sent to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for chemical examination, police said.