Four arrested for Gecko lizard trafficking in Assam

Police arrested four persons Monday for the trafficking of a Gecko lizard in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, said a police official.

The four accused were nabbed from Diphu, headquarters of Karbi Anglong district in Assam.

According to Superintendent of Police Mugdhajyoti Mahanta: "Two of the accused from Manipur had captured the lizard and were trying to sell it in Diphu with the help of the two others."

The investigation was being carried out to find out the details, added Mahanta.

The Gecko lizard figures on the list of endangered species and its trafficking is punishable under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

The recovered lizard would be handed over to the authorities of the Assam State Zoo, said police.

Earlier, Assam Police had arrested Dilip Nunisa, chairman of the now disbanded militant outfit Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), with Gecko lizards.

Some communities in countries like China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan believe that Geckos can heal deadly diseases like cancer and HIV infections.

Wildlife experts, dismissing the myth, point out that Geckos are needed to maintain the ecosystem.