The Forest officials on Tuesday arrested two persons and seized 3 Malabar Giant Squirrels and 2 star tortoises from them at Kottayam. Based on the information received from the arrested, one more person from Moothakunnam was arrested and a tiger skin, nails, bones and teeth were seized from his possession. However, the officials have not confirmed whether the articles are genuine. The Forest officials also seized a motorcycle from them. The arrested were identified as Antony Shine, 31, of Ernakulam, K R Ranjith, 26, of Ettumanoor and Radhakrishnan, 47, of Moothakunnam.The squirrels and tortoises were seized based on a tip-off received by O P Kallar, field director, Periyar Tiger Reserve. According to the reports, the Forest officials asked Antony and Ranjith to come to a hotel near Kottayam railway station to discuss the details of the deal.The duo came with the squirrels and tortoises and agreed to sell them for Rs 26,000.The animals were brought from Ettumanoor.They were arrested by Thekkady range officer Manu Sathyan and Vallakkadav range officer N P Sajeevan.Based on the information received from them, the officials raided a house at Moothakunnam and arrested Radhakrishnan.Tiger skin and other articles were seized from his possession. The articles along with the arrested were handed over to the Athirappally range officer.
The New Indian Express, 28th January 2009
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