Guwahati Police rescued 26 live geckos and apprehended two persons during a raid at Bathoupuri in Betkuchi on Thursday night, May 22, in a suspected wildlife trafficking case.
The operation was conducted near Bathou Temple under Gorchuk Police Station jurisdiction after police received specific inputs about the illegal possession and transportation of geckos, locally known as “Keko”.
Guwahati Police rescued 26 live geckos from bamboo tubes during a raid in Betkuchi near Bathou Temple on May 22. Two persons from Nagaon and Barpeta districts were apprehended, and police have initiated legal procedures under wildlife protection-related provisions as further investigation continues.
The accused have been identified as Md Ikramul Hussain, a resident of Gerjaipam village in Nagaon district, and Md Jamiruddin, a resident of Sonartari village in Barpeta district. Police said the raid was carried out after intelligence inputs about a suspected wildlife trafficking operation in the Betkuchi area.
During the search, police recovered 26 bamboo tubes, locally called “Sunga”. Each tube was wrapped with netting and cotton cloth. On inspection, every tube was found to contain one live gecko.
The rescued reptiles were taken into custody, and necessary legal procedures have been initiated. Police have said further investigation is underway to trace the source, intended destination, and possible wider network involved in the illegal trade.
For Guwahati, the case is significant because Betkuchi, Gorchuk, and nearby areas form part of a busy transport-linked zone close to the Inter-State Bus Terminus and National Highway routes. Wildlife trafficking attempts through such corridors raise concerns about the misuse of city transit points for the illegal movement of protected species.
Reports said the operation was carried out around 8 PM near Bathoupuri, close to Bathou Temple. Some reports also said the raid followed inputs received by Guwahati Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta, after which a police team was deployed to intercept the suspects.
The rescued reptiles are commonly referred to locally as Keko. Several reports identified them as Tokay geckos, a species that has often been targeted in illegal wildlife trade due to myths, demand, and black-market trafficking networks.
Police are expected to coordinate with forest and wildlife authorities for the next legal and conservation steps. In such cases, rescued animals are usually examined and handled according to wildlife rescue procedures before further action is taken by competent authorities.
The case also highlights the importance of public reporting. Residents who notice suspicious storage, transport, or sale of wildlife species in Guwahati should alert police or forest officials instead of handling the animals themselves.
The next step will be the completion of legal formalities, verification of the accused persons’ roles, and investigation into whether the geckos were being moved through Guwahati as part of a larger trafficking route. For the city, the incident underlines the need for vigilance around wildlife crime in transport-heavy areas such as Betkuchi, Gorchuk, and ISBT-linked corridors.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident | Rescue of 26 live geckos |
| Location | Bathoupuri, Betkuchi, Guwahati |
| Nearby landmark | Bathou Temple |
| Police jurisdiction | Gorchuk Police Station |
| Date | May 22 |
| Accused | Md Ikramul Hussain and Md Jamiruddin |
| Items recovered | 26 bamboo tubes containing one live gecko each |
| Local name | Keko |
| Case status | Legal procedures initiated; investigation underway |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the 26 live geckos rescued in Guwahati?
The geckos were rescued from Bathoupuri in Guwahati’s Betkuchi area, near Bathou Temple, under Gorchuk Police Station jurisdiction.
Who were apprehended in the Betkuchi gecko rescue case?
The accused have been identified as Md Ikramul Hussain from Nagaon district and Md Jamiruddin from Barpeta district.
How were the geckos being transported?
Police recovered 26 bamboo tubes, locally called Sunga. Each tube was wrapped with netting and cotton cloth and contained one live gecko.
Why is this case important for Guwahati?
The case is important because Betkuchi and Gorchuk are part of Guwahati’s busy transport corridor. Wildlife trafficking through city transit points can threaten protected species and requires public vigilance.