On Wednesday, the Assam Police Special Task Force (STF) seized 15.2 kg of illicitly trafficked elephant tusks in an anti-poaching mission conducted near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
The ivory tusks were discovered at a residence situated in a highly secluded village called Kemi, located in close proximity to the state border. Although one smuggler was identified, he successfully evaded capture. Authorities are currently conducting a search operation in order to apprehend him. As per the police, they received intelligence regarding the illegal trafficking of elephant body parts. They proceeded to search a dwelling within the jurisdiction of Jonai Police station, but the owner managed to escape prior to their arrival.
According to the authorities, Dibas Pait, the individual involved in poaching, utilized the dense forest in the vicinity to evade capture. The police further stated that they successfully retrieved his motorcycle and the ivory. The elephant tusks were subsequently transferred to forest officials by the STF. A complaint has been filed by the forest department against Pait, leading to a case being registered against him by the police.
The finding highlights the seriousness of the problem of wildlife trafficking and the urgent requirement for strict enforcement actions to prevent such illegal activities. The retrieval of these ivory tusks signifies a significant triumph in the continuous fight against wildlife poaching, which presents a serious danger to the biodiversity of Assam and the Northeast.
