From our Correspondent
MANGALDAI, Jan 5: The prompt and timely initiative of the troops of the 37 Battalion of Shashastra Seema Bal (SSB) deployed at Rajagarh in Udalguri district saved a rare and endangered species of reptile ‘Tokay Gecko’ (Gekko Gecko) commonly known as ‘Keko Saap’ in Assamese, from being sold in the intertiol market of smuggling of rare species of animals and arrested one smuggler in this connection. The SSB also seized a Mahindra Bolero vehicle bearing registration number AS 01 U 2977 used by the arrested smuggler. The smuggler has been identified as Deben Chetri, son of Ganesh Bahadur Chetri of village Pandey Basti, Bholajhar under Goreswar Police Station in Baska district. As reported, the troops of SSB under 37 Battalion, Mangaldai acting on specific information apprehended the smuggler and recovered the reptile from the Bolero vehicle at Pathar la Chowk near Khaira Grant in Baska district on Monday. The arrested smuggler confessed before the SSB that he was planning to sell it in the intertiol market of smugglers at the price of Rs. 18.01 lakh. The SSB, meanwhile, has handed over the arrested smuggler and the recovered reptile to the forest office at Rajagarh.