Turtle smuggling – Varanasi: 35 banned turtles being taken for tantra-mantra recovered from the train, worth lakhs – Varanasi 35 Prohibited Turtles Worth 8 Lakh Seized at Railway Station by GRP and RPF lcla
Taking joint action at Cantt Railway Station of Varanasi, the team of GRP and RPF have recovered 35 banned turtles. The price of these turtles in the international market is said to be around Rs 8 lakh. These turtles were being smuggled for tantra-mantra and medicines.
According to the information, these turtles were recovered during checking on platform number 4 of Cantt Railway Station. According to GRP Inspector Hemant Singh, Doon Express (train number 13010) had reached the platform on platform number 4. During this time, the team was checking when the team found two unclaimed bags (a pittu bag and a satchel) in the general coach.
The team interrogated the passengers as to whose bag it was, but no one claimed the bag as theirs. After this, when the bag was examined, live turtles were found in the jute sacks inside. There were 20 turtles in the bag and 15 turtles in the bag. These turtles are used in making tantra-mantra and medicines.
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There is a huge demand for the recovered turtles in the international market, due to which their smuggling has increased rapidly. The smugglers had kept these turtles in unclaimed bags for sale and were transporting them by train. The Forest Department has estimated the value of the turtles at around Rs 8 lakh.
After this consignment of turtles was recovered, the team of GRP and RPF along with the Forest Department have started investigation. GRP Inspector Hemant Singh said that these bags were recovered during regular checking on the platform. The turtles found in these are banned. The case is being investigated.
