(IN): Two poachers killed in Kaziranga- Tight security measures, better network

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Link:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070425/asp/northeast/story_7692141.asp

 

Two poachers killed in Kaziranga

- Tight security measures, better network yield results at park

 

OUR BUREAU

 

Jorhat/Guwahati, April 24: Two poachers were killed by forest guards

in Kaziranga National Park early this morning.

 

A park official said the poachers fired at the forest guards near

Sohola Beel in Agratoli range, forcing them to retaliate. The

poachers, who have not been identified as yet, were killed in the firing.

 

" We had alerted the guards as we had information that a gang of

poachers was trying to enter the park, " the official said.

 

" Nobody will be spared. Tough action will be taken against those

trying to kill the rhinos, " he added.

 

The national park has been put on high alert following the killing of

six rhinos — the highest in the past five years — by poachers last month.

 

The killing of the rhinos have put the park authorities under severe

criticism, forcing the government to act immediately.

 

Last week, Dispur rushed 50 people and two additional companies of

armed homeguards to the park to meet the manpower crisis and provide

more security.

 

Yesterday, the state government decided to constitute a wildlife crime

committee to initiate measures to control wildlife-related crime. The

committee, comprising police and forest officials, will meet twice a

month to review wildlife crime scenario.

 

The decision was taken at Kaziranga National Park at a meeting

convened by Rockybul Hussain, state forest and environment minister.

Senior police officials from Tezpur, Nagaon and Golaghat attended the

meeting.

 

The participants also reviewed the security measures at the national park.

 

They agreed to send photographs of poachers (if available) to police

stations for identification and also display these publicly.

 

They also decided to appropriately reward informers, as they are

useful in developing the intelligence network. The officials

underlined the need to strengthen the network to unearth the modus

operandi of the poachers.

 

The meeting stressed on economic development projects in the fringe

areas to win the support of local residents.

 

In the meantime, the International Rhino Foundation, the Fauna and

Flora International and the Guwahati-based non-governmental

organisation, Aaranyak, have written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

to take measures to save the park.