17 June 2023

BARIPADA: A forester on patrolling duty was allegedly shot dead by a group of armed poachers in Similipal tiger reserve (STR) in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district in the wee hours of Saturday.

This was the second killing by the poachers in the reserve forest in less than a month. On May 23, the armed poachers also shot a forest guard dead in a similar fashion.

Sources said the incident took place when forester Mathy Hansdah (40), a native of Tingria village under Bahalda police limits, was carrying out patrolling inside the core area of STR along with associates, including a forest guard and protection assistant.

They were confronted by a group of six armed poachers near Gamuchajharan beat camp under the Upper Barhakamuda range of Similipal south division at about 2.30 am.

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