SONITPUR, Nov 10: Forest personnel arrested five alleged poachers and seized a handmade gun and sharp weapons during an operation in a remote area of Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district.
A team of forest guards led by the Kalamati range officer conducted the operation at Gelgeli and apprehended the five men, who had allegedly been hunting wild animals in the sanctuary for a long time.
The arrested persons were identified as Hapon Saren, Tala Saren, Monti Murmu, Chamato Saren and Mangal Hasda. The handmade gun seized during the operation belonged to Hapon Saren, the forest department said.
The forest department sent all five accused to judicial custody.
Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah had visited the sanctuary a few days earlier and warned of strict action against encroachers and poachers.
