Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 27 October 2024
In a significant crackdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Humfrygunj Police Station and the Police Marine Force (PMF), Wandoor Unit, successfully apprehended two individuals and seized 370 kg of protected deer meat.
On October 25, police personnel HC(S) Ramesh Mondal and PC Nitesh Baidya from PS Humfrygunj were conducting a coastal patrol in the Wandoor area as part of the Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach “SKV-02/24.” During their patrol near Tarmugli Island aboard the PMF FRP boat *ANP JAL*, they noticed an engine dinghy, *MV Akshita*, with registration number IND-AN-SA-MO-G1, heading toward Twins Island. Attempts to stop the dinghy were ignored by the occupants, prompting a chase that ended with the dinghy’s interception near Jolly Buoy Island.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered a deep freezer and a non-functional refrigerator on board, both filled with deer meat preserved in ice. The dinghy was then escorted to the Wandoor Forest Jetty, where, in the presence of independent witnesses, the meat was weighed, totaling 370 kg. After completing all formal procedures, the individuals on board—identified as Ashok Dutta (47) from Haddo, Sri Vijaya Puram, and Bishmoy Das (33) from Diglipur, currently residing in Garacharma—were apprehended, and both the deer meat and the dinghy were seized.
The apprehended individuals, along with the seized items, were handed over to Forest officials for further legal action.
The police urge the public to report any information related to illegal activities by calling 236641, 287590, or 112. The identities of informants will remain confidential.