Rayagada, Nov 8: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Crime Branch seized two leopard skins in during a raid in Rayagada district and arrested two wildlife criminals in this connection, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused have been identified as Bikram Majhi and Raja Majhi of Chandrapur area in Rayagada.

Following an Intelligence input, a STF team conducted a raid at the Tampara Bindhuni Chhak under Chandili police limits in the district and apprehended the two criminals who were waiting for a customer to hand over the leopard skins.

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"During the search, two leopard skins and other incriminating materials were recovered from their possession. The accused persons could not produce any documents that would give them the authority to be in possession of the leopard skins. They have been arrested and the case will be forwarded to the Court of SDJM, Rayagada,” a STF official said.

A case has been registered under various Sections of the IPC and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in this regard.
The seized skins will be sent to Director Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun for examination, he added.

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