Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Wildlife Headquarters has announced a total reward of Rs 2 lakh for information leading to the arrest of three international wildlife traffickers against whom Interpol has issued Red Notices.
The move is part of ongoing efforts by the state government to strengthen forest and wildlife protection and crack down on organised wildlife crime networks.
According to officials, two of the accused, J.E. Tamang of Delhi and Dharke Lama of Kathmandu, Nepal, have been absconding for nearly a decade in connection with a 2015 case involving tiger poaching and the illegal interstate and international trafficking of tiger body parts. The case was registered by the Bhopal unit of the State Tiger Strike Force (STSF).
The third accused, Al Haj Mohammad Shafiqul Islam alias Rahman Talukdar of Dhaka, Bangladesh, is wanted in cases related to the international smuggling of turtles and gharials. The cases were registered by the Shivpuri unit of the STSF.
Officials said permanent arrest warrants have already been issued against all three accused by the concerned courts. Considering the seriousness of the offences and the suspects’ possible international movements, Interpol has also issued Red Notices against them.
The Wildlife Headquarters has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to the arrest of J.E. Tamang. Rewards of Rs 50,000 each have been declared for information on Dharke Lama and Rahman Talukdar.
The Forest Department has appealed to the public to share any information related to the wanted accused. Information can be provided on mobile numbers 9424792115, 9424797059 and 9424797031.
Officials assured that the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
The action highlights Madhya Pradesh’s continuing efforts to curb wildlife trafficking and strengthen the protection of endangered species, including tigers, turtles and gharials.
