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In a significant crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police, with operational support from the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), has rescued 11 highly endangered Tokay Gecko lizards from traffickers in Dibrugarh. The dramatic operation, carried out in partnership with local police, was designed to intercept smugglers planning to transport the endangered reptiles to the Mohanbari area of Dibrugarh.
The STF team, led by Dy SP Satyendra Singh Hazari, APS, received specific input from the WJC’s South Asia Office, prompting them to act swiftly. On April 10, the team, along with local police, laid a trap near the Sun Feast Dhaba at Mohanbari Tiniali. As expected, three suspects arrived, two in a white Hyundai i20 (Reg. No. AS 23W 5506) and one on a Hero Passion Pro motorcycle (Reg. No. AS 06AF 0276). After entering the dhaba, one of the suspects retrieved a red backpack from the car, prompting the STF team to move in and detain all three individuals.
A swift inspection of the backpack revealed the shocking discovery of 11 Tokay Gecko lizards, each confined in separate nylon bags. The seizure was made in the presence of independent witnesses, and all legal procedures were duly followed. The rescued lizards are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, affording them the highest level of protection under Indian law.
The arrested individuals, identified as Debashis Dohutia (34), Manash Dohutia (28), and Dipankar Gharphalia (40), admitted to procuring the reptiles from Arunachal Pradesh and allegedly negotiating to sell each gecko for ₹1 lakh. The police also seized the car and motorcycle used in the operation, as well as identity documents, including PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, driving licenses, and voter IDs.
The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Protection Act, where offences related to Schedule I species are cognizable and non-bailable, with punishments extending up to seven years of rigorous imprisonment. Tokay Geckos are primarily found in limited pockets of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and are often targeted by international trafficking networks due to myths surrounding their medicinal properties.
In a statement, authorities reiterated their commitment to combating illegal wildlife trafficking and urged the public to report any suspicious activity. This daring operation highlights the dedication of the STF and local police in protecting India’s vulnerable wildlife populations and demonstrates the significance of interagency cooperation in addressing the growing threat of illegal wildlife trade.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/stf-busts-wildlife-trafficking-racket-in-dibrugarh-11-tokay-geckos-rescued-1197799-2025-04-11?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-04-11 22:01:00
