Angul: People living in 10 panchayats here are up in arms against the administration over restriction in their movement across the sanctuary areas in order to save the wild animals.

There are 11 gates in the Satkosia wildlife division, where restrictions have been put on the entry of vehicles to save the wild animals. But, the local people vehemently oppose it, demanding removal of the gates, so that they can have free passage.

Hundreds of activists under the banner of Satkosia Praja Samiti are staging the protest. Samiti president Janardan Sahu on Thursday gheraoed the office of the range officer at Tikarpare to press for the demands.

Divisional forest officer of Satkosia S.M.T. Rahman, however, said the restriction had been imposed for the safety and smooth movement of the animals. "The gates are necessary for the safety of animals and to check poaching in the sanctuary. The removal is out of question. There is no problem of movement in the sanctuary areas. There are total 11 gates out of which six are in core areas," he said.