Croaks and Crime: RPF Rescues 450 Amphibians Bound for the Unknown at Silchar Station
It was just another routine evening at the busy Silchar Railway Station, with passengers hustling to and from platforms and vendors calling out their wares. But beneath the everyday bustle, something unusual was quietly unfolding near Platform No. 1—three unclaimed bags sat unattended, drawing little attention at first glance. That is, until someone noticed a faint rustling… and a series of muffled croaks.
Upon investigation, the alert personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) Silchar Post, under the Lumding Division of Northeast Frontier Railway, sprang into action. What they discovered was both surprising and disturbing: each bag contained approximately 150 live frogs, stuffed tightly into mesh-lined sacks. A total of 450 frogs—alive, vulnerable, and clearly not meant to be there.
The frogs had no passports, no tickets—just frightened eyes and bound limbs. And no one came forward to claim them.
A Delicacy for Some, a Crime for Others
While the presence of frogs in transit might shock many, this isn’t entirely unheard of in parts of the region. Frog meat, considered a delicacy by many, is prized for its taste and texture in certain cuisines across Southeast Asia and parts of India. In some tribal and rural communities, frogs are consumed both as a source of protein and as part of traditional culinary practices.
However, the capture and sale of frogs is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which lists many native frog species under protected categories. This is not just for the sake of preserving biodiversity but also because frogs play a vital role in controlling insect populations and maintaining ecological balance. Their illegal trade is considered a threat to both the environment and public health.
Swift Action by the RPF
Back at Silchar station, with the crowd growing curious and concerned, the RPF team acted promptly, ensuring that the live frogs were not only removed from harm’s way but also safely handed over to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Barak Valley Wildlife Division, in Silchar.
“The frogs were still alive, thankfully,” said one RPF officer who was part of the operation. “Our priority was to make sure they were handled carefully and given a chance to be rehabilitated back into their natural habitat.”
This unexpected wildlife rescue was not part of the RPF’s usual duties, which primarily involve safeguarding railway passengers and infrastructure. However, their intervention shows the increasingly multidimensional role of security forces today—spanning law enforcement, public service, and environmental stewardship.
A Window Into the Illegal Wildlife Trade
The incident also throws light on the hidden wildlife trade that still thrives in pockets of the country, driven by demand, lack of awareness, and in some cases, economic desperation. Frogs, while not as high-profile as tigers or elephants, are frequently poached and trafficked, often ending up in illicit markets, or on plates in underground eateries that serve exotic meats.
“There’s a thriving black market for amphibians, especially during monsoon seasons,” explained a forest official in Silchar. “But most people don’t realize the ecological damage it causes.”
In this case, the mystery remains: Who placed the bags at the station? Were the frogs headed for a distant kitchen or a market across the border? For now, those answers remain unknown, but investigations are underway.
Hope Hops Eternal
For the 450 rescued frogs, however, the ordeal ended on a hopeful note. Under the care of the Barak Valley Wildlife Division, they are now being assessed and will eventually be rehabilitated into safe, protected areas where they can once again leap freely and sing under the rain.
This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between cultural practices and conservation, and of the pressing need to protect even the smallest creatures that share our ecosystems. It also reinforces the idea that wildlife protection isn’t just the job of forest departments—sometimes, it takes a vigilant railway patrol and a few curious croaks to spark a rescue.
