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News Topical, Digital Desk : The Railway Police in Sahibganj district of Jharkhand achieved a major success. Barharwa Railway Protection Force (RPF) acted swiftly and seized a large consignment of banned turtles from the Farakka Express. In this operation, the police also arrested three interstate turtle smugglers who were trying to transport the turtles from Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal.
More than 662 turtles were found packed in 22 bags.
RPF personnel conducted a thorough search of the 15734 Down Farakka Express. During the search, 22 suspicious bags were recovered. When the bags were opened, officers were astonished. They were found stuffed with over 662 banned turtles, both large and small. Judging by the condition of the turtles, it was clear that the smuggling was being carried out in a highly inhumane manner.
RPF Inspector Sanjeev Kumar received a tip-off about smuggling along this route. Following this, the team was put on alert. As soon as the train departed Sahibganj, suspicious activities were monitored, and by the time it arrived in Taljhari, the three smugglers were apprehended. The consignment of turtles was recovered by checking their bags on the spot.
The arrested accused have been identified as Karan Patrakat, Kusma Patrakat, and Manju Patrakat, residents of Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. Interrogation revealed that the turtles were purchased in Varanasi and were being transported to Farakka, West Bengal. Preliminary investigations have also indicated an interstate network.
Preparations to hand it over to the Forest Department, case registered
The RPF has contacted the Forest Department to secure the recovered turtles so they can be handed over as per the rules. Meanwhile, preparations are underway to register a case against the accused under relevant sections and send them to judicial custody. Officials say that the crackdown on wildlife smuggling will continue and such networks will not be spared under any circumstances.
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