Three more held with dead sea horses

SNS, SILIGURI, 28 JANUARY 2023:  The forest department has arrested three more persons in connection with the recent haul of seahorses, an endangered species protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 

The department also seized 8.5 kg of more dried long nose sea-horses from Naxalbari near Siliguri today. In a joint operation, the Ghoshpukur and Tukriajhar ranges under the Kuiseong forest division and wildlife crime control bureau had seized five kg of dried seahorses and arrested one Faiz Ahmed on 24 January. 

It is suspected that the seahorses were smuggled from Rarneswaram. Forest department officials said they had recovered 8.5 kg of dried longnose sea- horses from a residence at Naxalbari. "

Further investigations into the previous seizure of seahorses and arrests have led to the arrest of three more persons today Jiwan Thapa, Sujit Tamang and Kankan Raha. At the same time, we have recovered 8.5 kg of dried longnose sea horses from a residence at Naxalbari.

However, the accused Manoj Roy is on the run," said Kurseong divisional forest officer Harikrishnan PJ. Jiwan Thapa is a resident of Rangeet tea estate in Darjeeling, Sujit Tamang is from Third Mile, Jorebungalow, in Darjeeling, and Kankan Raha hails from Uttar Rathkhola, Naxalbari. 

Seahorses are tiny fishes that are named for the shape of their head, which looks like the head of a tiny horse. There is a huge demand for the marine species in countries like China and Taiwan where they are used in making traditional medicines, sources said. 

The seizure of the species reflects the involvement of an organised smuggling racket, foresters said. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, there are 46 recognised species of sea- horses.