Bhubaneswar, Nov 12 (IANS) Wild life officials registered a case Thursday against a temple priest and some residents of a village in Orissa’s Kendrapada district for confining a rare turtle, officials said.
The case was registered against the priest and some residents of Khadipala village, about 150 km from here, for violation of the Wildlife Protection Act after they refused to release the turtle which they had trapped believing it to be an incarnation of god.

“We have registered a case. We will arrest some people soon,” a senior wildlife official told IANS.

The turtle was brought Nov 5 to the village by a resident, Ramesh Patra, from a nearby river. It has been kept in a water container at a village temple.

Villagers are lining up every day for a glimpse of the turtle in the belief that it will bring good fortune. The turtle is being worshipped because it has marks on its carapace similar to the eyes of Lord Jagannath - the state’s presiding deity.

A team of officials comprising policemen and forest officials, tried to rescue the turtle Wednesday and Thursday but faced protests from large number of villagers including women.