5 Poachers Arrested with Rhino Horn in Assam's Biswanath

GUWAHATI: Five rhino poachers were nabbed and a suspected rhino horn was recovered by police in Assam's Biswanath district on Thursday.

Aslam Sheikh, Hamid Sheikh, Ghanashyam Gupta, Mantu Chamuah, and Jamir Ahmed have been identified as the five suspects.

According to Biswanath Superintendent of Police Leena Doley, police had information about Aslam Sheikh selling a rhino horn for Rs 70 lakh, therefore they started an operation and apprehended him on the spot.

"The other accused have been arrested based on Aslam's statement. In connection with the case, we have also detained a woman. An investigation is now underway. She has yet to be apprehended," she noted.

The suspected rhino horn was transferred to Guwahati for forensic testing to determine whether it was genuine or a forgery.

The rhino horn was recovered a day after the Assam police announced a Rs 6 lakh cash reward for three absconding rhino poachers suspected of being involved in recent poaching in Kaziranga National Park. The police have also issued a Rs 5 lakh reward for anyone who can lead to the recovery of the poached rhino horn.

On January 20, a 30-year-old female rhino body was discovered with a gunshot wound and its horn gone in the park's Kohora area. It was the year's first case of poaching. As a result, authorities in Golaghat caught a poacher who disclosed the involvement of Biswanath district residents Asmat Ali alias Nalco, Ataur Rahman alias Bassa, and Abdul Matin alias Kala. The absconding individuals will be apprehended soon, according to police.

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