52 Smuggled Indonesian Birds, Animals Rescued In Assam, 2 Arrested

In a joint operation, Assam Police and forest department officials today rescued 52 smuggled Indonesian birds and animals. The rescued birds and animals include Black Lori birds, Red and Blue Lories, Babirusa Swine and Hornbills.

The seizures were made near the Assam-Mizoram border in Hailakandi with cops arresting two smugglers during the operation.

"A four-wheeler had tried to flee by breaking police barricades. Accordingly, we informed the forest department, chased the vehicle and caught it. We also caught two persons from the vehicle and rescued bird species. As per the initial investigation, these species are Indonesian-based but we are waiting for the experts to confirm," Shamirdapar Baruah, Additional Superintendent of Police of Hailakandi District, told news agency ANI.

According to the forest officials, among the fifty-two rescued creatures forty-two of them are Red and Blue Lories, six black lories, two hornbills and one Babirusa (Indonesian swine).

According to the officials of Bilaipur Police Station, the arrested people have been identified as Moinuddin Ali and Samsul Haque. Both are residents of Assam's Hojai area.

"The consignment came from Indonesia country through Myanmar and entered India from Mizoram. They were on their way to West Bengal. We are keeping the rescued species in a safe place," the police officer said.

Police handed over the birds and animals to the forest department, and registered a case. The police officer further said that, the apprehended persons hail from the Hojai area of Assam.

"Further investigation is on and we are trying to find out further linkage", the police officer said.

In September last year, at least eight rare animals, including a black macaque and gorillas, were rescued in Assam's Cachar district on Monday, police sources have said.

The rescued animals, suspected to be smuggled from Myanmar- included two Panamanian white-faced capuchins (a rare species of monkey), two common opossums, four black gorillas, and the black macaque- have been handed to the forest department officials.

In April 2023, seven spider monkeys and two black and white ruffed lemurs were rescued from a vehicle near the Assam-Mizoram border.