BSF seize tortoises from bordering area

Agartala, Aug 7 (UNI) The BSF jawans seized huge quantities of phensidyl and tortoise from Joynagar area near the Bangladesh border yesterday.

Acting on a tip-off, jawans of 59 battalion led by company Commander of Lankamur BOP Jaccob Kesy challenged a person who was proceeding with a bucket towards the Indian terittory.

The person fled, leaving the bucket which had 14 tortoises in it.

Although selling and purchasing of tortoise is unlawful under the Forest Act, the demand for tortoise flesh is high and sells at Rs 500 per kg in the market.

All the seized tortoises will be handed over to the forest department.

In another operation, the BSF jawans arrested a person, who was trying to smuggle 67 bottles of phensidyl into Bangladesh on Saturday last.

UNI PD SP RD 1347