What Happened to the Three Seized Elephant Tusks in Tripura?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three elephant tusks were confiscated in Tripura.
- The suspect, Mayub Ali, is currently evading capture.
- Authorities are investigating the source of the tusks.
- The Forest Department is coordinating legal actions.
- Tripura plans to initiate an elephant safari for tourists.
Agartala, Aug 3 (NationPress) Three elephant tusks were confiscated from a village located in Tripura's Unakoti district, as reported by officials on Sunday.
A forest official stated that no arrests have been made yet in this matter, as the owner of the property, Mayub Ali, from whose residence the tusks were seized, managed to evade capture prior to the arrival of law enforcement.
Following a tip-off regarding potential drug smuggling, police executed a raid at Ali's home in Sonapur village on Saturday evening.
During the operation, authorities discovered three elephant tusks within Ali's premises, prompting them to alert forest officials who subsequently seized the tusks.
"We could not apprehend the homeowner, Ali, as he escaped before the police's arrival," the official informed the media, noting that a legal case has been initiated and efforts are underway to locate the suspect.
Assistant Wildlife Officer from Kailashahar, Subhankar Biswas, mentioned that the tusks do not belong to adult elephants.
The method by which Ali acquired these tusks remains unknown, he added.
Biswas indicated that the Forest Department, in collaboration with the police, aims to take necessary legal actions against those implicated in this incident.
Recently, authorities filed a report following the discovery of an elephant carcass with several body parts missing in a forest area of Pramod Nagar in Khowai district.
According to the state Forest Department's report, a few years ago, Tripura was home to 102 elephants, comprising 42 wild elephants and 60 in captivity.
In a related initiative, the Tripura Forest Department is working towards launching an elephant safari for tourists in the Teliamura area of Khowai district.
"Should the government approve our proposal, we plan to commence the elephant safari in the upcoming winter season," stated a forest official.