Kolkata: Police on Sunday seized aquatic animals from the Galiff Street pet market after a Calcutta High Court order against illegal sale of protected animals.During an inspection by Shyampukur PS cops and the Wildlife Protection Section of Lalbazar, a vendor was spotted selling aquatic animals near 14/3, Galiff Street. The vendor could not show a valid KMC trade licence. Police did not arrest the vendor, given the large crowd that gathers at the Sunday market, but took photos and seized the stock.A case was later registered at the Shyampukur Police Station for disobeying an official order and causing danger or obstruction in a public way.The action follows a Calcutta High Court order by Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Arijit Banerjee, directing Kolkata Police, Customs and the forest department to stop illegal trade in birds, pets, exotic fish and plants at the weekly market. The court has made a valid KMC trade licence mandatory for all Galiff Street vendors. Authorities have also put up warning banners and deployed inspection teams to check stalls.
