Silchar: In a significant breakthrough, authorities in Hailakandi have thwarted an elaborate smuggling operation, uncovering a cache of exotic birds concealed within a vehicle.
Hailakandi Police, along with forest department officials, rescued 52 smuggled Indonesian birds and animals, including Black Lories, Red and Blue Lories, a Babirusa Pig, and Hornbills.
“The seizures took place near the Assam-Mizoram border in Hailakandi’s Bilaipur area when a Fortuner vehicle escaped the police patrolling party on Friday morning. Our team chased them and were able to nab them within a short distance,” said Shamirdaptar Barua, additional SP Hailakandi.
He informed that two people had been arrested during the operation, and a case has been registered to find out the forward and backward linkages.
According to forest officials, the fifty-two creatures rescued include forty-three red and blue lorises, six black lorises, two hornbills, and one Babirusa pig.
These rare birds were reportedly being smuggled through routes spanning multiple countries and states, including Indonesia, Burma, Mizoram, and Assam, to West Bengal.
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