Malkangiri, Nov 7: A joint team of Motu Forest staff and Revenue officials intercepted a suspicious motorcycle at the Kamarguda Village Culvert in Malkangiri district, leading to the seizure of 51 live Indian Flap Shell Turtles. The accused, Suraj Mandal and Jayanta Bachhad, were arrested for violating the Wildlife Protection Act.

The turtles were being illegally transported from Vemullarai in Andhra Pradesh to MPV-47 in Odisha, allegedly for trade and consumption. The accused had planned to carry out the transport during the night hours, loading the turtles into gunny bags on a motorcycle.

The seized items included the motorcycle, a mobile phone, and two gunny bags containing the turtles, which together weighed around 160 kg. The accused have been presented before the Judicial Court of JMFC-79, where their bail application was rejected. They are currently in judicial custody.