Forest department officials have launched a manhunt for miscreants who abandoned two country made rifles and skins of wildlife animals after spotting officials in Chinnathadagam on the outskirts.

According to department sources, the forest officials, based on a tip off, went to the area to drive away the elephants, that had reportedly strayed into human habitats. Seeing the officials, a few persons escaped leaving behind a country made rifle and an air gun and skins of a deer and bear from the spot. The department has identified the persons, hailing from nearby areas, and search is on for them.