A joint team of Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Committee (WBCC), Arapti branch and Lilong Police led by its OC, inspector Md Riaj Khan and sub-inspector Kh Santosh conducted a drive at Lilong Maning wetland on Sunday and seized a large number of bird trapping nets.

Secretary of WBCC Arapti branch, Chanam Santosh Meitei said that following information from a reliable source that some miscreants were trapping birds by using nets at Lilong Maning wetland, a search was conducted with the help of Lilong police on Sunday morning. They also picked up several nets from the same spot earlier, he added.

The miscreants could not be nabbed during the drive on Sunday as they had already escaped through the water body, Santosh said.

The sub-inspector said that when the team returned, some unknown persons were seen quarrying illegally near Lilong ITI. The team immediately informed the concerned Forest officials of Thoubal who came in time and took up necessary action, he added.

Santosh also requested the authorities concerned to draw attention to illegal quarrying being carried out by taking advantage of the national highway expansion work at Lilong area.