45 tortoises recovered from Doon Express train

Varanasi: As many as 45 tortoises packed in nine bags were recovered from a bogie of Doon Express train by GRP and RPF when it reached Varanasi Junction on Monday. Police were trying to identify the smugglers carrying tortoise.Varanasi Junction GRP station in-charge Rajol Nagar said that after the Howrah bound Doon Express arrived at platform-8 of Varanasi Junction (Cantt railway station), the GRP and RPF immediately launched a special checking drive. During the search of the train’s general coach, many unclaimed bags were found under a seat. When passengers were questioned, no one claimed ownership of the bags, after which the bags were brought down and checked.Nagar said that a total of 45 live rare tortoises were found packed in those bags. GRP immediately alerted forest department officials. On the arrival of forest officials it became clear that the recovered tortoises belonged to the Indian Soft Shell Turtle species, which are protected under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act-1972.The cops suspected that the tortoises were being transported for smuggling. Officials estimated the value of the recovered tortoises in the international market as Rs 20 lakh. The tortoises were handed over to the Forest Department for legal action.