Exotic wildlife animals seized in Mizoram, three Myanmarese held

AIZAWL: The Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with the Mizoram Forest Department officials, have rescued several exotic wildlife species and apprehended three Myanmar nationals in the north-eastern state, officials said on Thursday.

A defence spokesman said that Assam Rifles troops, along with Forest Department officials, launched a joint operation at the crossing point four (Robert Kai) in Mizoram’s Zokhawthar areas bordering Champhai district.

The security personnel intercepted trafficking of exotic wildlife species and apprehended three Myanmarese while they were crossing from Myanmar into India and carrying concealed containers on Wednesday night.

A spot check conducted in the presence of independent witnesses and forest officials led to the seizure and rescue of three Patagonian maras, 24 African spurred tortoises and one albino Burmese python.

The estimated value of the seized wildlife is approximately Rs 1.31 crore, the spokesman said.

The apprehended individuals, identified as Thawngsuangmunh (26), Biakzapiang (26), and Jeecy Lalnunmawia (31), are all Myanmar nationals from Khawmawi.

The rescued wildlife species, along with the apprehended individuals, was handed over to the Forest Department in Champhai for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Assam Rifles remains committed to curbing illegal wildlife trafficking along the Indo-Myanmar border as per extant conservation laws, a defence release said.  (IANS)

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