Dhanbad: Seventy-eight Indian flapshell turtles were recovered from four unclaimed bags in a general coach of the Doon Express at Dhanbad railway station during a joint operation by Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Crime Intelligence Bureau (CIB).The seizure was made under Operation WILEP during a routine patrol on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. The Yog Nagari Rishikesh-Howrah Doon Express (train no. 13010), had arrived at Dhanbad when RPF personnel inspected the second general coach from the engine.During the check, officials found four unattended bags. Passengers were questioned, but no one came forward to claim them. Suspecting that the luggage contained illegal or prohibited material, the team brought the bags to the platform and searched them.The search led to the recovery of the 78 live turtles. The reptiles were seized and handed over to the forest department for action under wildlife protection laws. Divisional forest officer Vikas Paliwal said the turtles were being kept safely and would be released into Topchanchi dam after necessary preparations.Officials suspect the turtles were being transported by train. However, those who packed and abandoned the bags could not be identified immediately. RPF is investigating how the luggage was brought onto the train and tracing those responsible.
