IT News
Imphal, Sept. 7:
It may be hard to believe for the people of the state, but some people are collecting frogs and doing good business by selling it at Senapati district. Frogs – the amphibian creature is in great demand among the Mao community as it have traditional values among the community.
According to report, a team of Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Committee (WBCC) after getting information of some people smuggling Frogs from the district has been keeping strict vigils since the last couple of days. Today morning a team led by Rabi Takhellambam after noticing a suspicious van moving towards Imphal halt the maruti van with the help of state police near Thoubal police SP office. The team recovered around 2000 number of frogs while checking the Maruti van bearing registration number MN01W7107. Two persons identified as Moirangthem Inao @ Kansingh (39) and Moirang Ashan Devi (40) from Tentha Khunou presently staying at Mount Everest Senapati were trying the ferry the frogs at Senapati for sale.
Frogs is protected under the schedule 4 of the Wild Life Protection Act and it is punishable trading or selling of the creature under the act. However, the Frog is a popular edible item at Senapati district and is a traditional food item believe to boost the immunity by the Mao community. As per report the frogs are sale at Rs. 200 to 300 per Kg and a piece of the frog are available at Rs. 100 at hotel.
Both the persons have been handed over to police and produce at court today. The seized frogs were set free by the Forest department authority and the Wild life protection volunteers.
