Imphal: Manipur Forest Department officials raided the Headquarters Ground in Ukhrul this Sunday. They broke up an illegal lottery offering protected wildlife as prizes. The team moved in after receiving a tip about the raffle. Suspects bolted into the crowd during the chaos and avoided arrest.
Officers recovered a haul of protected species listed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The seizure included a Kalij Pheasant from Schedule I and a Grey Francolin from Schedule II. They also grabbed various items tied to other bird species. The Ukhrul Forest Division filed a Preliminary Offence Report and now holds the evidence.
A hunt for the organizers is active. Authorities cited the 2022 amendments to the law. "Hunting, capturing, possessing or trading protected wild animals is strictly prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972," officials stated. Violators face three to seven years behind bars plus significant fines under Sections 9 and 51.
The department wants help from the public. They asked village headmen, churches, youth unions, and civil society groups to help stamp out these crimes. Investigators are currently working to pin down the perpetrators and bring them to court.
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