Imphal: Several wildlife articles being displayed and offered as lottery prizes were seized by a Manipur Forest Department team during a raid at the Headquarters Ground in Ukhrul on Sunday.
The Ukhrul Forest Division team launched the operation after receiving specific intelligence about the illegal raffle.
The confiscated items included protected wildlife species listed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including a Kalij Pheasant listed under Schedule I and a Grey Francolin listed under Schedule II. Officials also recovered articles belonging to various other bird species from the site.
The suspected organisers evaded arrest by fleeing into the gathered crowd during the commotion. Following established legal procedures, the Ukhrul Forest Division registered a Preliminary Offence Report and took the seized items into official custody.
A comprehensive investigation is underway to establish the facts, identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Forest authorities said that hunting, capturing, possessing or trading protected wild animals is strictly prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022.
Officials warned that violations of Sections 9 and 51 attract severe legal penalties, including mandatory imprisonment ranging from three to seven years, along with hefty fines.
The Forest Department appealed to village headmen, local authorities, churches, civil society organisations, youth unions and non-governmental organisations to cooperate fully in eradicating illegal wildlife activities.