Police foil bid to smuggle Gecko lizard, one arrested

From a Correspondent
Bokajan, July 23: After drugs, prostitution, illegal liquor trade and other anti-social activities, the Assam-galand inter-State border is witnessing smuggling of the rare Tokay Gecko lizard which is believed to have medicil effect in curbing deadly diseases like AIDS and cancer. A joint team of police, based on specific information, held a ga youth from Lahorijan area and recovered a 14-inch Gecko weighing over 250 gm. The arrested youth has been identified as Soren Lotha of Dimapur and a Maruti car bearing registration number NL 07 1395 was also seized. Prelimiry interrogation reveals that Lotha transited in purpose of selling the endangered Gecko for Rs 3,00,000. There has been a spurt in the illegal trade of this lizard species in the north-eastern region as there are rumours that a Gecko lizard can fetch up to a million dollars in the intertiol market.