In a significant crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, forest officials in Assam apprehended a suspected smuggler and recovered a cache of endangered animal parts, including leopard skin and tiger bones, on Saturday morning.
Border Interception Leads to Arrest
The operation was a joint effort by the Halowating Forest Range and Sivasagar Forest Range. Acting on specific intelligence, teams intercepted the accused, Imchil Liba Ao, described as a hunter from Nagaland, while he was passing through the Amguri Tea Estate near the Assam-Nagaland border.
Officials successfully seized the contraband from his possession. The haul included:
- Two leopard skins
- Tiger bones, teeth, and claws
- Pangolin scales
- Other wildlife-related items
"We received credible information about the movement of wildlife contraband through this route. Our teams successfully intercepted one of the accused," stated a forest official involved in the operation.
Unraveling a Cross-Border Smuggling Network
During initial interrogation, Imchil Liba Ao provided crucial details about the alleged smuggling network. He revealed that the wildlife parts were being transported from Tuli in Nagaland and were en route to Imphal and further to Nepal via Assam.
Officials highlighted that the seized items were destined for illegal international markets where they command exorbitant prices. "This is part of a larger organised wildlife crime syndicate," the official added. The interrogation aims to uncover more about the source, transit routes, final destinations, and Ao's accomplices. Two other alleged members of the racket managed to escape, and efforts are on to track them down.
A Vulnerable Corridor for Wildlife Crime
The Assam-Nagaland border region has long been identified by enforcement agencies as a vulnerable corridor for wildlife trafficking. The difficult terrain, porous borders, and proximity to international smuggling routes make it a hotspot for such illegal activities.
Products like leopard skin, tiger body parts, and pangolin scales remain among the most sought-after commodities in the underground wildlife trade. The authorities confirmed that action will be taken under the stringent Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which prescribes severe imprisonment and hefty fines for trafficking offences.
This arrest underscores the ongoing challenges and the continuous efforts required to protect India's precious wildlife from organised criminal networks operating across state and national boundaries.
