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Burmese pythons, King Cobra, Lizards, rare species of crab snakes, venomous snakes seized in Guwahati

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Guwahati: A team from the Wildlife Crime Control Branch and the Forest Department of Assam conducted a night raid at Lachit Nagar in Guwahati on Sunday. Following a tip the team seized a large number of bones and skins of dead reptiles.

The team conducted a surprise raid on house No. 18 in Lachit Nagar and recovered a large number of reptiles and limbs stored by researcher Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha.

According to a source of Wildlife Crime Control Branch, Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha, who was conducting research on snakes, kept a large number of reptiles of different species in his residence.  The team carried out the operation till noon and seized the skins, bones and heads of the wild animals stored by the researchers.

From the researcher’s home, the team recovered Burmese pythons, King Cobra, Lizards, rare species of crab snakes, and other venomous snakes and other reptile species of wild animals.

On being questioned, Dr. Purkaystha claimed that the bones and skins of dead wild animals had been stored for research. However, the researcher was not able to show the team valid documents.

There are allegations that he was involved in the smuggling of wildlife skins and limbs, although sources in the Wildlife Crime Control Branch said that the real secrets will come to light only after a thorough investigation. 

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