Rayagada: In a major crackdown, a team of Special Task Force (STF) have arrested a person on charges of poaching  and seized three leopard skins from his possession in Rayagada district in Odisha here today. The accused was identified as Dambrudhar Majhi of Naktiguda within Tikiri police limits of Rayagada district. He was apprehended at Rayagada - Koraput NH-326 near Siriguda Swargadham Chhaka of Rayagada Town in the afternoon after police conducted a raid basing on reliable information.

During search, three leopard hide and other incriminating materials were recovered from him. The accused was arrested after he  could not produce any authority in support of his possession. He will be produced in court. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC and Sec.51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The skin will be send to Director WII, Derhadun for biological examination. Investigation is underway, police informed.