Assam: Sonitpur Police nabs five elephant tusk smugglers

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TEZPUR: In a significant crackdown on wildlife trafficking, Sonitpur Police arrested two smugglers near the ASTC bus stand Tezpur in Sonitpur district as they attempted to illegally transport two elephant tusks. The tusks, weighing 1.943 kg and 1.904 kg respectively, are believed to be genuine, according to preliminary verification by the Forest Department.

The duo confessed to having collected the tusks from one Lukash Narzary alias Mangal, who is reportedly based near Orang National Park, a known biodiversity hotspot in Assam.

Following the arrest and subsequent investigation, police have identified and detained three more individuals linked to the trafficking network. The accused have been identified as Gambir Thapa (36 years), resident of Ramnagarin the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, Yishi Drukpa (46 years), resident of Deban in Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh, Lukash Narzary (36 years), alias Mangal, alias N Leithei, resident of Jordanpur in Sonitpur district., Ajwala Mushahary (41 years), alias Ananta, of Thakurbari in Sonitpur district, and Jarshel Mushahary (31 years) of Tharaibari in Sonitpur.

Police sources confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated, and a wider investigation is underway to trace the supply chain and additional operatives involved in this illicit trade.

The operation marks a critical step in curbing the illegal wildlife trade in the region, especially concerning endangered species like the Asian elephant. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on such criminal networks and preserving Assam’s rich biodiversity.

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