Major Wildlife Bust in Assam: Smugglers Apprehended with Rare Species
In a significant crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, a joint team comprising the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police and the State Forest Department successfully arrested two alleged smugglers and recovered a haul of rare animals and their body parts. The operation was conducted in the early hours of Friday in the Nagaon district of Assam.
The Raid and Recovery
Acting on specific intelligence, the joint team carried out a raid near a playground in the Kuthori area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Jakhalabandha police station. The authorities intercepted two individuals, who were traveling on a motorcycle. The contraband was discovered concealed inside a bag they were carrying.
Upon searching the bag, the officials made a startling discovery of several protected species. The seized items included:
- Six Tokay geckos (locally known as Keko Khap)
- One slow loris (Lajuki bandor)
- Pangolin scales weighing approximately 10.630 kilograms
The arrested individuals have been identified as Bidya Singnar and Samson Kathar, both residents of the Karbi Anglong district.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Following the arrest, the STF team formally registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Jakhalabandha police station. In a parallel legal action, the Bagori forest range office registered a separate case against the accused. This case has been filed under the stringent Section 9 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The duo was promptly produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Nagaon on the same Friday. According to Jakhalabandha OC Sanjeeb Borah, the investigation is ongoing. "Further investigation is underway to find out if they were part of a larger network of any smuggling chain," the OC stated.
Forest department officials emphasized that this seizure is a stark reminder that wildlife traffickers continuously exploit the bio-diversity rich areas of Assam. They reaffirmed their commitment, stating that action against such trafficking will be intensified and continued across all vulnerable zones in the state.
