Balasore, May 23: Forest officials of Mayurbhanj district have stepped up their efforts to get their colleagues released, who have been held hostage by a group of irate tribals in the buffer areas of Simlipal sanctuary for more than 24 hours.

Forester Khirod Singh and casual security guard Bhanu Nayak were abducted by the mob comprising nearly 65 people after the forest department officials arrested four tribals for poaching activities. The mob detained the duo demanding release of their four colleagues alleging the department’s action was unjust.

“Khirod Singh and a casual guard were held hostage by the villagers. A group of about 65 tribals after assaulting the duo took them along demanding release of four persons who were taken into custody on the charge of poaching,” said deputy director of Similipal Tiger Reserve Bikash Ranjan Dash.

“Yesterday, police tried to release the duo, yet the efforts failed. Today Karanjia divisional forest officer, along with other forest staff and senior police officers, have gone to the village to secure their release,” he said.

During joint patrolling by forest officials of Baripada and Karanjia division as well as Simlipal Tiger Reserve four persons — Mansid Nag, Farbesh Ho, Lagu Talandia and Lanta Singh — were picked up for interrogation .

Regional chief conservator of forest, Anup Nayak said the crisis remained unresolved as the villagers were demanding release of two persons of the particular village.