Eight held for trading in animal parts

KATHMANDU, APR 15: The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police has arrested eight persons from separate places of the Kathmandu Valley for illegally trading in endangered wild animals, birds and their body parts.

According to CIB, it had carried out coordinated operations in different places and arrested them with evidences.

Police arrested Yamat Bahadur Basnet, 30, of Goli-5, Solukhumbu and Uddhav Karki, 25, of Bamtibhandar-2 of Ramechhap with three bear gall bladders from Koteshwor.

The gall bladders weigh 173.9 grams, 75.9 grams and 21 grams respectively. Basnet and Karki were looking for clients when police nabbed them.

An official said a tola (11.66 gm) of bear bile fetches racketeers up to Rs 20,000. Bear bile is believed to break down gallstones.

The duo along with the body parts of wild animals have been handed over the Kathmandu District Forest Office for prosecution.

In a separate operation, police detained Bal Krishna Dangal, 31, Nawaraj Bhandari, 22, and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, 30, of Sindhupalchowk with 61 pieces of bones of ‘endangered wild animals’ from Madhyapur Thimi.

The bones weigh 2.2 kg. They have been sent to Bhaktapur District Forest Office for further action.

Similarly, police arrested three Indian nationals with various species of live birds from Boudha.

The detainees have been identified as Ram Pilit Sah, 37, Chhote Lal Sah, 22, and Mohammad Kalim, 25, of Bihar.

Officials said they were caught red-handed while they were illegally selling the live muniya birds.

As many as 48 birds were confiscated from the trio.

The suspects have been handed over to Kathmandu District Forest Office while the birds have been sent to the Central Zoo.