Tengnoupal police seize 9 ponies at Moreh Town

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 21 : A team of Tengnoupal police seized 9 Manipuri ponies which are suspected to be trafficked into Myanmar, from Moreh town today.
The police reportedly seized the ponies for verification after  they were found conveyed in a mini truck via Sekmaijin and Kakching Lamkhai with "approval" from Veterinary Hospital Kakching.
The information of transportation of ponies in a suspicious manner was reported to SP Chandel and SP Tengnoupal by Manipur Pony Society, said a source.
The ponies are being kept at Tengnoupal Police Station and it is learnt that due procedure has been initiated for verification through Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Directorate.
Speaking to The Sangai Express regarding the seizure, Ningthoukhongjam Ibungochoubi who is a member of Manipur Pony Society, said that the transportation of horses to Moreh for rearing is not a crime and the society has no objection to it.
The number of ponies in Manipur is dwindling and as such it will be highly commendable if the law enforcing agencies, especially State police give a special attention towards saving lives of the endangered Manipuri pony and conduct a thorough verification into the incident.
Preservation of pony in parts of the State is encouraging, however, it will bear a serious consequence if trafficking of such an endangered species to the neighbouring States or country remain unchecked, he continued.