Illegal Turtle Trade at a Pizza Shop: Forest Department Conducts Major Raid in Mundian, Racket Exposed
Panic ensued in the Mundian area when a Forest Department team raided a pizza shop, exposing a case of wildlife trafficking. This major operation was executed based on a confidential tip-off received by Narinder Singh, the Forest Range Officer for the Wildlife Range, Ludhiana (Neelon).
**Held Captive Illegally Inside the Shop**
According to reports, the Forest Department team conducted a surprise raid on the ‘Pizza Lovers Shop’ (located in Kunal Colony) in Mundian. The shop is owned by Inderjit Singh. During the raid, two Indian Roofed Turtles—a prohibited species—and one tagged turtle were recovered from inside the shop. The accused had been holding these voiceless creatures captive within the shop in a highly illegal manner.
**Turtles Taken into Custody at the Scene**
Forest Range Officer Narinder Singh stated that, under the Wildlife Protection Act, keeping or trading in these specific species is strictly prohibited. Departmental officials arrived at the scene, took the turtles into their custody, and initiated legal proceedings against the accused shopkeeper, Inderjit. The department is now investigating the source from which the accused procured these turtles and whether he intended to use them for superstitious practices or for trafficking purposes.
