In a significant crackdown on wildlife crime, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel arrested three individuals and seized a staggering 662 live turtles from the Farakka Express in Jharkhand's Sahebganj district. The operation, based on a specific tip-off, unfolded at the Barharwa railway station on Friday, exposing an interstate smuggling network.
The Train Raid and Arrests
Acting on intelligence about suspected smuggling activity, RPF teams launched an intensive check on train number 15734, the Farakka Express, shortly after its departure from Sahibganj. The search continued until the train reached Barharwa station, where officials made the shocking discovery. The authorities recovered 22 bags stuffed with over 662 small turtles from the possession of the accused.
The three arrested individuals have been identified as Karan Patrakat, Kusma Patrakat, and Manju Patrakat, all residents of Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh. During interrogation, the trio confessed that they had acquired the turtles from Varanasi and were transporting them to Farakka in West Bengal, according to RPF Inspector Sanjeev Kumar.
Protected Species and Smuggling Motive
Speaking to the media, Sahibganj Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Prabal Garg confirmed that the seized reptiles are Indian Softshell Turtles (Nilssonia gangetica). This species is listed under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, granting it the highest level of protection, equivalent to that of a tiger.
DFO Garg revealed that these turtles are frequently targeted by smugglers for the illegal meat trade. He added a crucial detail: "The turtles seized are all babies and would soon be released back into the Ganges after completing legal procedures." The forest department has taken custody of the rescued animals.
Links to a Larger Network and Past Incidents
Inspector Sanjeev Kumar stated that preliminary investigations point towards the involvement of a broader interstate smuggling racket. "Crackdown on wildlife trafficking will be intensified," he asserted, signaling a tougher stance from the authorities.
This is not an isolated incident on this railway route. Last year, a 21-kg Gangetic softshell turtle was recovered from the Anand Vihar Express, and two other turtles weighing 11 kg and 7 kg were found at Bhagalpur railway station in the same section. Furthermore, in 2023, the forest department had arrested nine smugglers with eight turtles near Patora Lake in Sahibganj itself, indicating the region's vulnerability to such wildlife crimes.
The successful operation by the RPF and the subsequent handover to the forest department highlights the critical inter-agency cooperation needed to combat the illegal wildlife trade, which poses a severe threat to India's biodiversity.
