Rajganj, 2nd July: North Bengal Special Task Force of Baikunthapur Forest Department arrested three smugglers and recovered five Pahari (Hill) Myna/Mynah from their custody, late Wednesday night.
The arrested have been identified as Sahidul Islam, Nurjamal Haque and Ganesh Chhetri. All three are residents of Kathambari area under Malbazar block.
Task Force Chief Sanjay Dutt stated that the team successfully nabbed the three smugglers and recovered the endangered birds after conducting an operation, based on a tip-off, in the Kathambari Canal Road area.
The Chief further added that during interrogation, the smugglers confessed to capturing the birds from the Baikunthapur Forest Reserve. According to them, the birds were being taken to Siliguri for smuggling purposes. Each Myna is said to be sold for 1,500 to 2,000 rupees.
Task Force Chief Sanjay Dutt maintained that the smuggling of several endangered species of bird, such as the Pahari (Hill) Myna, is on a rise.
The arrested smugglers were produced in the Jalpaiguri court.