Odisha woman injured after being fired at by “poachers”

While gathering sal leaves in a neighboring forest on Saturday night, a 31-year-old lady from Bodigoba village—which is within the jurisdiction of Bhanjanagar police limits in Ganjam district—was shot in the stomach.

Swapna Sahu, the victim, was shot by alleged poachers when she and her mother were gathering sal leaves; she has now been identified. Hearing her screams, her mother hurried to her rescue and brought her home. Unable to summon an ambulance, she spent the whole night at home. After the people successfully organized an ambulance on Sunday morning, Swapna was transported to Bhanjanagar Hospital. According to hospital authorities, she is now in stable condition.

Swapna’s mother claims that the forest products they collect and sell are what sustains them. On the other hand, other reports claim that the shooting was probably an accident that happened when poachers were loading a rifle produced in their own nation. Police opened an inquiry after learning about the situation.