Biswanath: In a major breakthrough the Assam police along with the Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF) apprehended 5 rhino poachers at Biswanath Forest Division of Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday during an operation.
The apprehended poachers were identified as Buddindra Kaman, Pranab Kutum, Subhan Kutum, Shivguru Pegu and Kuwati Pegu.
Forest officials also informed that the apprehended poachers were involved in the killing of one-horned rhinoceros on April 8, 2019, at Gimiri Forest Division.
The officials also seized rhino nails, one motorcycle and five mobile handsets from their possession.
Notably, the rhino nails are sold at a price of Rs 6000 per piece.
It may also be mentioned that earlier based on a tip-off, a team of Numaligarh Police led by Madhurjya Dadhara, IC of Numaligarh police outpost, on the night of September 6 apprehended a gang of two rhino horn smugglers from Purbangla area on NH-39.
According to police, the smugglers have been identified as Konwar Shyam and Borsingh Hanse of Sokihula, Karbi Anglong. The sources added further that the gang was on the way to a location near Baba Thaan near Numaligarh to sell a rhino horn but before handing it over to the dealers, Numaligarh Police was able to pick up the smugglers from Pubangla area.
Police later seized the rhino horn, one motorbike (AS-05-D-3835), two mobile handsets and other objectionable items from their possession. In police interrogation, the two detained smugglers have also named one more accomplice, identified as Montu Buragohain of Panikora Gaon. Police are searching for the third smuggler who is on the run. The weight of the seized rhino horn is around 1 kg and its value is in lakhs of rupees. Police have registered a case under the wildlife protection act and investigation is on.
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