Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 19 (HBTV): In a recent crackdown, Telangana Police arrested an individual for allegedly being involved in the illegal trading of live snakes during an undercover decoy operation, officials said.
According to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Hyderabad, specific information was received that a person involved in the illegal trading of live snakes was attempting to sell a live snake in the grey market in Warangal, Telangana.
The operation was planned and executed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Hyderabad, on Sunday.
The suspected individual was identified and intercepted at the grey market in Warangal. Upon searching the bag carried by the person, officials recovered two live Indian Red Sand Boa snakes (Eryx johnii).
The Indian Red Sand Boa, being a reptile, is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended, thereby prohibiting the trading or possession of the species.
After the seizure, the animals, packing material, and the apprehended individual were handed over to the Forest Range Officer, Warangal Range, Telangana, for further proceedings under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Further details in the incident are awaited.
Earlier, in a separate incident on Saturday, a clash broke out between two groups after a truck was stopped on suspicion of illegal cow transportation, police said.
According to police officials, the incident occurred late at night when one group stopped a truck suspecting that cows were being transported illegally, while the other group claimed that the vehicle was carrying plywood.
The argument soon escalated into clashes between the two groups, with both sides allegedly attacking each other and pelting stones in the area. Following the unrest, police personnel rushed to the spot and resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.
An AIMIM MLA also visited the area after the incident.
Speaking on the matter, Asif Nagar Police said, 'This incident happened last night, and a large number of police personnel reached the spot and brought the situation under control. We have registered a case and are investigating the matter.'
(ANI)