<p class="title">While liquor, cash, gold and drugs seizures galore during elections, authorities concerned stumbled upon an unusual cache in Punjab this poll season: protected species of living turtles. The discovery left the raiding party flummoxed. </p>.<p class="title">Not one, but as many as 11 turtles were confiscated from the house of a municipal councillor of Tanda in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur. These species of turtles, sources said, are included in the Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and accorded the highest protection under the statute. Tigers, lions and leopards also fall in the same category of protection under provisions of the Act. </p>.<p class="title">According to sources, the raids were conducted a few days ago as a routine following a tip-off to check hoarding and distribution of liquor during polls. An FIR has been registered against a woman named Bachni, a relative of the councillor. A probe is underway to establish the motive behind keeping protected turtles at home. </p>.<p class="title">The accused has reportedly told the police that she was suffering from a disease and the flesh of turtles was used as a treatment for personal consumption. Poaching of turtles for meat, treatment under Chinese medicine and for keeping as pets is not uncommon. </p>.<p class="title">The 11 turtles were released in the wetland of the Beas river in Punjab after a nod from the court. Had they been kept as case property till the issue was resolved, they would have perished.</p>.<p class="title">Sources said any information that may lead to a possible poaching racket active in the area will be essential to the probe. The source where the turtles were procured will also remain an essential part of the investigation. </p>
<p class="title">While liquor, cash, gold and drugs seizures galore during elections, authorities concerned stumbled upon an unusual cache in Punjab this poll season: protected species of living turtles. The discovery left the raiding party flummoxed. </p>.<p class="title">Not one, but as many as 11 turtles were confiscated from the house of a municipal councillor of Tanda in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur. These species of turtles, sources said, are included in the Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and accorded the highest protection under the statute. Tigers, lions and leopards also fall in the same category of protection under provisions of the Act. </p>.<p class="title">According to sources, the raids were conducted a few days ago as a routine following a tip-off to check hoarding and distribution of liquor during polls. An FIR has been registered against a woman named Bachni, a relative of the councillor. A probe is underway to establish the motive behind keeping protected turtles at home. </p>.<p class="title">The accused has reportedly told the police that she was suffering from a disease and the flesh of turtles was used as a treatment for personal consumption. Poaching of turtles for meat, treatment under Chinese medicine and for keeping as pets is not uncommon. </p>.<p class="title">The 11 turtles were released in the wetland of the Beas river in Punjab after a nod from the court. Had they been kept as case property till the issue was resolved, they would have perished.</p>.<p class="title">Sources said any information that may lead to a possible poaching racket active in the area will be essential to the probe. The source where the turtles were procured will also remain an essential part of the investigation. </p>
