Forester Killed by Poachers at Similipal Sanctuary in Odisha

A forest officer said on Saturday that a forester was shot dead in the Similipal sanctuary in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, reportedly by poachers.

An exchange of fire broke out between a team from the forest department and six armed poachers on Friday night at Badachachran Beat the home during a patrol by the forest department team within the Similipal sanctuary, according to the official.

Apparently shot by the poachers, a bullet struck forester Mati Hansda, age 45. He was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead by the medical staff.

Hansda was assigned to the Simlipal Barahakumuda range.

One forester called Mati (Hansda) was with a patrolling squad when he came face to face with poachers, according to RCCF Simlipal Division Prakash Chand Gogineni, who spoke with PTI. He was shot at by poachers. At 3:15–3:30 am, he was taken to Karanjia Hospital where he passed away.

“We have identified those responsible for the assault. We have alerted the police, and they are carrying out their duties,” Gogineni said. Dharmendra Pradhan, the union education minister and a native of Odisha, came down hard on the state administration and said that the state’s law and order situation is “deteriorating” every day.

“There is a complete breakdown of state machinery, and within a month, two forest officials have been shot dead,” Pradhan told PTI. “Criminals have the audacity to commit a crime and escape the grasp of law in the state.”

According to IG Police (Eastern Range) Himanshu Kumar Lal, “We have already detained three suspects, the area is still being searched, and we will soon arrest the main accused.”

On May 22, a gang of poachers shot and killed a forest ranger at Simlipal Tiger Reserve.