Jharsuguda: Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel rescued 20 Persian cats and detained a couple from Mumbai–Santragachi train at Brajrajnagar railway station in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district on Monday.
The two were caught while allegedly transporting the imported Persian cats without valid documents on Mumbai–Santragachi train. The rare animals were allegedly being smuggled from Mumbai to Kolkata.
Sources said RPF officials rescued the foreign breed cats, three adults and 17 kittens, while being carried in nine baskets.
As per information, the couple, identified as Amin Sayeed and his wife, were reportedly travelling from Mumbai to Santragachi in West Bengal.
The two were caught after they allegedly entered into an argument with fellow passengers. RPF personnel intervened and found the cats hidden inside baskets. The couple failed to produce valid tickets and documents for the animals. The travelling ticket examiner (TTE) imposed a fine of Rs 35,000. The two were detained as they failed to pay.
As Persian cats are not listed under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the forest department declined to take custody of them. Sources said the rescued cats will be handed over to an animal welfare organisation for proper care.
