GRP arrests duo carrying 14 rare turtles

In a major operation, the Government Railway Police (GRP) rescued 14 rare turtles from two wildlife smugglers at Chheoki railway station on Monday. The persons, identified as 27-year-old Achhe and 20-year-old Govind from Sultanpur district, were allegedly transporting the turtles to Kolkata. A case was registered against them under the Wildlife Protection Act following a complaint from forest officials.

According to Rajeev Ranjan Upadhyay, Station House Officer (SHO) GRP, Chheoki outpost in-charge Rajeev Kumar Singh was on patrol with his team when he spotted two suspects on platform number two. During the investigation, the GRP team found the turtles hidden in the bags they were carrying. The estimated value of the rescued turtles exceeds ₹3.50 lakhs.

Their interrogation revealed that they were part of a gang involved in catching turtles from the Ganga River and smuggling them into West Bengal. Forest officials also reached the spot after receiving information. The turtles were handed over to the forest department and released into their natural habitat in the Ganga wetlands.