DIPHU: In a major operation, authorities at the Diphu railway station in Assam executed a successful seizure of a significant quantity of Burmese supari on Friday night.
The illicit contraband, comprising 10 sacks of Burmese supari, was intercepted during the inspection of the Tinsukia-Lumding passenger train.
Sources indicate that diligent officials also apprehended a smuggler identified as Sanjay Dey in connection with the unlawful possession of the supari.
Following this intervention, the Diphu police have promptly filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the Government Railway Police (GRP), initiating a legal process to address the incident.
Earlier, in a remarkable operation, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) stationed at Lumding Railway Station in Hojai, Assam, successfully rescued 74 wild turtles from the clutches of alleged wildlife smugglers. This daring rescue mission unfolded following a tip-off received by the authorities, leading to a collaborative operation between the RPF and the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) on a fateful Monday evening.
The focus of this joint operation was a coach of the Sealdah–Agartala Kanchanjunga Express, which was en route to Lower Assam at the time. The intelligence gathered indicated that the turtles were being smuggled from Silchar to Guwahati, sparking concern among authorities about the illegal wildlife trade. Two individuals hailing from Mizoram, identified as Lalchhuanlina and Liansanspui, found themselves in custody as a result of their alleged involvement in this wildlife smuggling operation.
Their apprehension marked a significant breakthrough in the fight against illicit wildlife trade in the region.
The rescued animals, a total of 74 wild turtles, were promptly handed over to the Lumding Forest Department to facilitate further investigation into the matter. This decision was made to ensure the safety and well-being of the rescued turtles, as well as to gather vital information that could potentially lead to the dismantling of larger wildlife smuggling networks operating in the region. The operation serves as a testament to the dedication and vigilance of the Railway Protection Force and the Criminal Investigation Bureau in their commitment to safeguarding wildlife and combating illegal activities that threaten the natural heritage of Assam and its surrounding areas.
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