By IANS
Kendrapada (Orissa) : At least ten snake charmers, including two women, were arrested Sunday by police in Orissa on charges of killing animals and reptiles in the state's world famous Bhitarkanika sanctuary.
The arrested persons were accused of killing and smuggling snakes, water-monitors, spotted deer, wild boars, fishing cats and other animals in the prohibited areas of the sanctuary, S. Das, in charge of Kendrapada police station, told IANS.
Police have also seized a python and two hides of water-monitors from them, he said.
The arrested people have confessed of killing snakes and other animals in the sanctuary and nearby areas. They have also admitted of supplying snakes to some venom collectors in Kolkota and Chennai.
Over past decade they claimed to have supplied hundreds of snakes including pythons and king cobras to outside businessmen, the police officer said.
Located at the distance of about 170 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar, the Bhitarkainka sanctuary is one of world's largest nesting grounds of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles.