AGARTALA, March 21 (TIWN): Open selling of tortoises were tracked by Forest Dept on Tuesday at Math Chowmuhani. Heavy waited 2 tortoises were recovered from the meat-market at Math Chowmuhani, but not single accused could be nabbed by Forest officials, neither they booked anyone for inquiry in connection with illegal tortoise selling. Source said that the tortoises are coming from Bangladesh passing through Indo-Bangla borders. Getting informed from a secret source, the Forest Dept officials raided at Math Chowmuhani and recovered 2 tortoises of around 20 kilos. Asking the other businessmen present there, they refused to divulge the seller's name and pretended to be unknwon about the fact. The Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972 states that "The ownership and trading of any animal who's natural habitat is in the wilds within the country boundaries is prohibited by law.” All aquatic animals, wild animals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, moths etc which are found in the wilds of India are protected by this law. But for Tripura, no rules has been implemented fully to save the wild lives.

The role of Home Minister cum Chief Minister is under scanner, as under his leadership the Indo-Bangla smuggling is at rise but when Indian force go to control the smuggling activity then, they are titled as rapists.

It is well known that at Gol-Bazar, at Bartala the tortoise selling is much open throughout the year, but police, forest dept's role remains under scanner; neither they could arrest anyone in this context.

At Bangladesh tortoise is banned due to Muslim Communit's food prohibition and thus the low priced tortoises are sold in Agartala at High Price. 

Turtle meat is being sold across the city and its adjacent areas, in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The act bans slaughter, sale and consumption of the turtle, a protected species.

But,  tortoises per kilo  illegally sold in Tripura at Rs. 2000/-.