Imphal, July 25: The State Forest Department has begun probing into the origin of the Deer horns seized from a Tata truck at Moreh on July 19. The State Forest Department has begun probing into the origin of the Deer horns seized from a Tata truck at Moreh on July 19. Troops of 24 Assam Rifles seized the animal parts kept in eight cartons at around 4.45 am of July 19 from Moreh Ward No..6 One L Pathoi (30), of Moreh Ward No.5, driver of the truck has also been apprehended.

The seized consignment was later handed over to Forest authorities at the border town.

Though the origin of the consignment could not be ascertained, �we have come to know that the horns were of the Barking Deers and Sambars that are not listed under the rare and endangered species�, said Chief Wildlife Warden (CCF) AK Rana.

Sources said the consignment may have been brought from Orissa and being taken to China via Myanmar as there is demand for such animal parts by some Chinese pharmaceutical companies for manufacturing medicines.

Rana said a report prepared on the seizure has been submitted by the Forest Range Officer, Moreh.

The report has also been examined by the District Forest Officer as well as by the DCF (Park and Sanctuary).

The authorities have released both the vehicle and its driver on bond, the CCF said, adding that �we will keep on questioning the driver as required by his testimonies though he has been released�.

Following the seizure of the Deer horns, all sub-ordinate units have been instructed to ask their Forest Guards concerned to stay alert at the Wildlife Sanctuaries to ensure no poachers intrude there, the CCF informed.

He lamented that the Department has shortage of manpower to check smuggling of wildlife species and other forest items along the porous Indo-Myanmar border.

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