Jalpaiguri, 11th November: In a successful operation, forest officials from the Lataguri Range in Jalpaiguri have arrested three individuals for attempting to smuggle the skin of a flying squirrel. The arrested individuals have been identified as Jatan Chetri, Arun Giri, and Prema Pradhan, all residents of Sikkim.
Acting on a tip-off, forest personnel set up an operation on Sunday evening and approached the suspects posing as buyers. During the raid, they seized the flying squirrel carcass. A four-wheeler used for the smuggling was also confiscated.
Lataguri Range Ranger Sanjay Dutta confirmed the operation and stated that they received information about flying squirrel skins that were being smuggled from Sikkim. They recovered the skin and the animal during the operation.
The three accused were presented in the Jalpaiguri district court on Monday while further legal proceedings are underway.