Guwahati, Oct 26 (IANS): Police Friday arrested three people after recovering a Golden Gecko lizard from their possession, police said.

Police official A.P. Tiwari said initially Shiv Pandey was arrested from Pilingkata area under Basistha police station in the city and the lizard found with him.

Later, two others, who came to buy the reptile, were also nabbed.

"The endangered lizard which is alive was taken in custody and we are going to hand the same over to the forest department very soon," said Tiwari.

On Oct 7, police in Assam's Karbi Anglong district arrested four people and recovered a gecko lizard from their possession.

Geckos are an endangered species and trading or killing Geckos is punishable under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

A few months back, leader of an armed outfit of Assam, was nabbed with geckos and sent to jail.

In countries like China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, it is believed the geckos can heal deadly diseases like cancer and HIV infections and so are in huge demand. Wildlife experts, however, say there is no truth in the belief and that the geckos are needed to maintain the ecosystem.