Two youths arrested for selling parrot, police caught them near liquor distillery

Gariaband: The Forest Department has arrested two smugglers who were selling banned parrots. Eleven caged parrots have been seized from smugglers. In this case, the Forest Department has taken action under the Wildlife Act and presented the smugglers in the court. It is being told that the smugglers had arrived from Kalahandi in Odisha in the banned Parrot train.

Girish Rajak, Deputy Ranger of Navapara Circle, Naya Raipur Range, said that the accused Shankar Naiduchuna is a resident of Bhatti Raipur and Lokesh Dhidhi is a resident of Dhamtari, who is a habitual smuggler. Nayapara was selling parrots kept in cages near the liquor distillery. On receiving the information, 11 pieces were seized and action was taken under the Wildlife Act. Both the accused are in the custody of the Forest Department. Earlier also the department had caught them red-handed, but had released them after giving them a warning. The case was prepared and presented in the court.

According to the accused, smugglers from Odisha bring the parrot to Raipur. Often it is brought in the train coming from Kesinga to Raipur. The parrot’s home is in the dense tall trees above the Fadolla mountains in Lanjigarh area of Kalahandi. He catches people living in the forest and sells them to middlemen in Odisha at the rate of just Rs 100 per piece. The same smuggler brings him in the train and gives him Rs. 400 to the middleman of Raipur. Which is sold for up to Rs 1000 in the capital Raipur and surrounding areas. The Forest Department is trying to find out the network of smugglers by taking the accused into custody.