Two leopard skins, live bombs seized in Odisha’s Ganjam; 2 arrested

The arrested persons have been identified as 34-year-old Kesaba Jamadar of Badagaon village under Ramagiri police station in Gajapati district and 45-year-old Bira Jamadar of Buratal village under Jarada police station in Ganjam district.

According to official sources, Jarada Police in Odisha’s Ganjam district seized two full-size leopard skins and arrested two individuals allegedly involved in the illegal possession and transportation of protected wildlife skins.

The operation was carried out on June 6 (Saturday), following credible intelligence inputs regarding suspicious activities in the upper Buratal area under Patrapur block. Acting on the information, a police team proceeded to the hilltop region, where they noticed two individuals running towards a nearby forest upon spotting law enforcement personnel.

Police immediately launched a pursuit. During the chase, the suspects allegedly resisted arrest by pushing and physically confronting members of the police team. Officials said one of the accused brandished a sword and threatened police personnel in an attempt to escape.

Despite the resistance, both individuals were eventually overpowered and taken into custody after considerable effort.

Subsequent searches in the area led to the recovery of two gunny bags containing two full-size leopard skins. During the personal search of the accused, police recovered two live handmade bombs from Kesaba Jamadar, while a sword was seized from Bira Jamadar.

Investigators found that neither of the accused possessed any valid document authorising them to possess the leopard skins, weapons, or explosive materials. The recovery of the protected animal skins has raised concerns about illegal wildlife trade and poaching activities operating in the region.

Based on the seizure, Jarada Police registered Case No. 186 dated June 6 under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Wildlife Protection Act, the Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
Both accused have been produced before the court, while further investigation is underway to determine the source of the leopard skins and possible links to a wider wildlife trafficking network.