Major Success under “Operation Wilep”: RPF/Malda Division Seizes 790 Live Tortoises and Turtles in Two Separate Operations

Under the guidance of Shri Manish Kumar Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Malda and under the supervision of Shri Ashim Kumar Kullu, Divisional Security Commissioner (DSC), Railway Protection Force, Malda, the other personal Railway Protection Force of Eastern Railway, Malda Division continues to maintain a high level of vigilance to curb illegal activities and ensure passenger safety across the Division.

In a major success under “Operation Wilep”, the Railway Protection Force of Malda Division recovered a total of 790 live tortoises and turtles in two separate operations conducted at Barharwa and Malda Town Railway Stations.

At Barharwa Railway Station on 19.12.2025 at about 16:00 hrs, information was received from the on-duty train escorting party of Train No. 15734 Bathinda–Balurghat Farakka Express regarding suspicious bags being carried in Coach S-01. Acting promptly, the RPF Post/Barharwa team conducted a thorough check of the coach upon the train’s arrival at Platform No. 02, with assistance from the escorting staff.

During the search, 18 bags (boras) were recovered, comprising 16 bags containing 40 live tortoises each (640 numbers), one bag containing 21 live tortoises, and one bag containing one big-sized live tortoise, taking the total recovery to 662 live tortoises. One male and two female passengers claimed ownership of the seized wildlife. All three were detained, deboarded from the train, and the seizure was carried out in the presence of witnesses. The matter was immediately informed to the Forest Department, Sahibganj.

Similarly, on the same day at Malda Town Railway Station, during escorting duty of Train No. 13410 Kiul–Malda Town Intercity Express, RPF personnel noticed a female passenger carrying five heavy backpack bags and one jute bag after the train departed New Farakka Railway Station. The passenger failed to provide any satisfactory explanation regarding the contents of the bags, and the information was relayed to RPF/Post/Malda.

Upon arrival of the train at Malda Town Railway Station (Platform No. 02) at about 22:00 hrs, a joint check by RPF officers along with lady staff led to the recovery of 128 live turtles concealed inside gunny bags.

Both the seized tortoises and turtles, along with the accused persons, were handed over to the concerned Forest Department for further action.

Through these coordinated and intelligence-based operations under “Operation Wilep”, the Railway Protection Force of Malda Division has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to curbing illegal wildlife trafficking through the railways, protecting the nation’s rich biodiversity, and ensuring railway security and passenger safety.