IN: Anti-poaching network ropes in DIGs, SPs

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Anti-poaching network ropes in DIGs, SPs

By a Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 17: The killing of a number of rhinos in the Kaziranga

National Park (KNP) and other national parks in the State has prompted

the State Government to constitute an anti-poaching network comprising

the DIGs and SPs of Nagaon, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Sonitpur

districts. The State Forest and Environment Department has also sought

cooperation from the police in this regard.

According to reports, a tranquilliser gun that was used in killing

rhinos was found at Latabari Tea Estate near the KNP a few months ago,

and some poachers confessed during interrogation that the

tranquilliser gun was that of a top-level Forest official of Nagaland.

This apart, some poachers who had been arrested in Orang National Park

revealed that arms and ammunition for killing of rhinos were being

brought to Asom from Dimapur.

It may be mentioned here that as many as six rhinos were killed in the

last four months against five in 2006 and seven in 2005.

Talking to The Sentinel, Asom Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said:

" The DIGs and SPs of the four districts surrounding the KNP and the

Forest Department will launch a joint operation against poaching in

the national park " .

While talking to The Sentinel, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest

NC Malakar did not rule out the possibility of the involvement of a

syndicate from a neighbouring State and neighbouring countries in

poaching in the KNP. He said that the tranquilliser gun that had been

found in a TE estate near the KNP was that of a top-level forest

official of Nagaland. The gun has been handed over to the police.