Kendrapara, Jan 22: Upset over the arrest of three persons involved in the wildlife smuggling case, Pattamundai Police Station IIC expressed displeasure, which lead to a heated exchange with the Forest Department officials.


Based on reliable inputs, a team from the Rajnagar Forest Division STF carried a raid in Neelakanthapur village under Pattamundai police station limits and seized 14 pangolin (Bajrakapta) scales.


During the operation, three persons identified as S.K. Barkhaitullah of Pattamundai, Abhiram Mallik and Rajkishore Mallik of Sandhapalli village were arrested.


However, the action led to tension when Pattamundai PS IIC Bandana Patra reportedly expressed strong resentment over the arrests. The IIC allegedly entered the Rajnagar Range Office and confronted forest officials in the presence of the accused.


The IIC questioned why the accused were picked up from within the police station jurisdiction without informing the local police. She further stated that family members of the accused had lodged missing persons complaints at the police station, claiming they were unaware of their whereabouts.


Although the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) reportedly clarified that the accused were being interrogated as part of a wildlife crime investigation, the explanation was allegedly ignored, leading to heated exchanges. The incident has since become a matter of dispute between the police and forest departments.


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When contacted for her response, IIC Bandana Patra declined to comment on the issue.


Meanwhile, forest officials maintain that the operation was conducted as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking. Further investigation into the pangolin scale seizure case is underway.


(Compiled By: Krishna Hota)