Siliguri, 15th February: Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawan Ganesh Chettri has been arrested on the charge of smuggling elephant tusks.
The Sarugara range officials launched operations at Odlabari and arrested five more men identified as Gandup Lepcha, Dhyan Bahadur Pradhan, Rohit Tamang, Dawa Sherpa, and Samson Lepcha. All are residents of Sikkim.
According to forest department sources, several pictures of antique statues and money were found on Chettri’s mobile phone. 1 kg of elephant tusks worth 10 lakh rupees was also recovered from the accused’s possession.
The matter has been informed to the higher officials of IRB as well as other concerned departments. The arrested individuals will be produced at the Jalpaiguri court today.