Guwahati: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), while conducting routine checking at Rangapara North railway station seized smuggled hornbill beaks. The seized items were being transported illegally and valued around Rs. 4 lakhs in grey market.

On 21st December, 2024, based on an internal information, Crime Prevention and Detection Squad (CPDS) team of RPF Rangapara North conducted checking in train no. 15613 (Guwahati – Murkongselek) Lachit Express at Rangapara North station. During the check, a suspicious person was intercepted by the CPDS team. While detaining the suspected person, a bag containing 4 (four) hornbill beaks were recovered from him. The seized hornbill beaks were worth around Rs. 4 lakhs. Afterwards, the bag with the hornbill beaks and the apprehended person was brought to the RPF station.  Later, the hornbill beaks and the apprehended person was handed over to the Forest Department of Assam under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 after completing all the legal formalities and documentation.

It may be noted that, RPF of N.F. Railway is always committed to prevent transportation of illegal wild life items and endangered species through trains. RPF conducts routine checks at railways stations and trains to prevent transportation of any illegal items. RPF carries on a relentless fight against such smuggling activities by the illegal transporters.