Guwahati: Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF), along with officers from Sidli police station, arrested nine suspected wildlife traffickers and rescued eight endangered golden langurs from Chirang district, during a late-night operation on Friday.The primates are listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. The suspects have been identified as Injamamul Hoque Mondal, Abdul Khalek Mondal, Fakir Chand Mondal, Alomgir Mulla, Latibur Sheikh, Mohammed Jamal, Jackson Biswakarma, Ranjit Narzary and Pinkush Narzary. STF SSP Pranab Kumar Pegu said the operation was carried out based on inputs about the illegal trafficking of golden langurs. “STF personnel launched the operation on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday at Bamungaon Road under Sidli PS. The team intercepted the traffickers and rescued the primates,” the SSP added. According to Pegu, the rescued primates are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Authorities estimated the black market value of these primates at around Rs 16 lakh. Preliminary investigation reveals that the langurs had been captured from the Ultapani area of Kokrajhar district and were being trafficked through a network of local intermediaries in Chirang district for delivery to prospective buyers. Investigators suspect the involvement of a larger organised wildlife trafficking syndicate with links extending beyond the state. “Further investigation into the organised interstate and transnational wildlife trafficking network is underway,” the officer said. During the operation, two vehicles, thirteen mobile phones and incriminating documents were seized.
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