Maranko, regional head — monitored the movements of the suspect and intercepted him near the college around 8 pm on Wednesday.The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) arrested a 24-year-old man near Chetna College in Bandra (east) on Wednesday for allegedly trying to sell star tortoises. According to sources, the tortoises were bought from Crawford Market. According to a report by the World Animal Protection, around 55,000 star tortoises are traded illegally satin ribbon wholesale from a single spot in India. "Kale has not revealed any information about other tortoise dealers, but the probe is underway," said Mr Burman. It is because of this pattern they are favoured internationally as pets. "Kale would buy star tortoises from Crawford Market and then sell them at exorbitant prices to other illegal traders in the city," said Rakesh Burman, a WCCB inspector. The rescued tortoises are recuperating under the WCCB’s care and will be reintroduced to their natural habitat soon. Indian star tortoises are distinguished by the star-like pattern on their shells. The accused, Soham Kale, was carrying a cloth bag in which he had concealed six live star tortoises. Acting on a tip, the WCCB — lead by M.

The massive scale of illegal trade in these tortoises is leading to their extinction. The accused along with the tortoises were produced before the Bandra court on Thursday, and he has been remanded to police custody till May 26. The accused is a resident of Malad (west). This species is endangered and its possession, transport, sale or its offer of sale is illegal.. While trading, minimal care is given to the welfare of the tortoises and few survive being thrown around in bags or being packed tightly in crates with no space to move or breathe.

One of the agents sustained head injuries after he was beaten up allegedly by TMC workers. We have not seen such violence since 1977. Brushing aside allegations that he remained absent in his own constituency, Mr Mishra said the ruling Trinamul Congress was "angry" because of his presence. After 1977, this is the second time I am going from booth to booth for the Assembly polls.. The injured person was taken to the nearest primary health centre while a Trinamul Congress worker, Sheikh Shamser, was arrested in this connection. In West Midnapore’s Keshpur, two CPI(M) and two TMC workers were injured in a similar clash.Clashes between the Trinamul Congress and the CPI(M) erupted outside polling stations in Burdwan’s Jamuria and West Midnapore’s Ghatal. "I can see why they are angry.

Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra faced angry protests from the Trinamul Congress at a number of places when he visited polling booths as the party candidate in his Narayangarh Assembly constituency. And since I complained, the number of electoral malpractice in booths have come down to four," Mr Mishra said. In another incident, a third polling officer died of a heart attack at polling booth number 234 under Pandaveswar Assembly seat in Burdwan district. Two persons were arrested in connection with the clash and seven were injured in Jamuria. In Burdwan’s Kuti, a first polling officer was removed following a complaint that a person was showing an elderly woman where to cast her vote. They are angry because I am here. In Bankura’s Sonamukhi municipality, a person was seen walking with firearms while some persons, with sticks in their hands and faces covered with cloth, were seen intimidating voters in Onda area of the same district. Bombs were found in two bags near another booth in the same constituency. In Bankura’s Bishnupur Assembly constituency, a person named Anarul Mondal was arrested after he different types of ribbons allegedly assaulted Congress worker Tushar Kanti Bhattacharya.Isolated incidents of violence marred the second round of the first phase 1 polling, which was held across 31 constituencies in the districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Burdwan on Monday. Parimal Bauri, who was a resident of Jamuria, died inside the booth.

In some areas, Mr Mishra was prevented from entering some of the booths and a scuffle ensued in his presence between TMC and CPI(M) workers. We had complained to the chief electoral officer about electoral malpractice in 23 booths.In West Midnapore’s Keshpur, a female CPI(M) polling agent was allegedly threatened by TMC workers, while two CPI(M) agents were obstructed from entering booth numbers 76 and 77 of Jamuria seat in Burdwan district.