Seven held with elephant tusk in Malappuram

The Forest department in Malappuram has arrested seven individuals for allegedly transporting a 3.5 kg elephant tusk. The group, travelling in two cars, was intercepted on the Puthanathani-Tirunavaya road by the Nilambur range flying squad and Kalikavu range office. Those arrested include Faisal Cholakkal from Meppadi, Wayanad, Jamsheer Tharayil and Abdul Jabbar Tharayil from Alathiyur, Shobish Vettath from Tirur, and Abdul Sameer Babu, Shameer Rayammarakkar, and Zubair Neduvamcheri from Puthanathani.

In addition to the tusk, authorities seized two cars, a pistol, and two knives. This marks the second seizure of an elephant tusk in Kerala within a week, with a similar case involving six arrests in Kozhikode recently. The Forest department is investigating the origin of the tusk and those involved in the trade.

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