Kaziranga rhino-poaching case: Three among seven poachers held by Assam Police

A CORRESPONDENT

NUMALIGARH: Amidst the lockdown, a rhino was killed by poachers in Agoratoli of Kaziranga National Park on May 9. The poachers managed to escape with the horn of the rhino. Eight blank ammunition cartridges of AK-47 rifle were also found in the place where the rhino was killed.

Police had been working hard to nab the poachers ever since, after a case was registered at Bokakhat Police Station. During the investigation, police found that a total of seven people were involved in the poaching of the rhino. Out of the seven suspects, Karbi Anglong Police arrested three suspects on June 1. Police have identified the three culprits as - David Siama from Lamka Churachandpur of Manipur, Biki Thapa from Sagmuthi TE of Nagaon and Simon Lakra from Napani, Salna of Nagaon.

Moreover, police sources revealed that one more suspect, identified as Mangboi Paite, was killed in an encounter in Dhansiri along the Assam-Nagaland border area few days back. Police also recovered arms and ammunition from the suspects. One AK-81 assault rifle, two AK-56 assault rifles, one double-barrel shotgun, 400 rounds of different ammunition, one grenade and few camp materials were recovered by police. Police sources also revealed that the arrested persons confessed that they were involved in the recent sensational rhino poaching case at Agoratoli in Kaziranga National Park (Bokakhat PS Case No. 131/2020).

Conscious citizens lauded the efforts of Karbi Anglong Police. On the other hand, some people have expressed concern over recovery of such sophisticated firearms which hints towards insurgents rather than regular poachers. However, police have not spoken about any connection between the arrested poachers and insurgents yet.

Kaziranga National Park Director P. Shivakumar also lauded the efforts of Karbi Anglong police. "This is an exemplary team work of Karbi Anglong Police. DIG Diphu and Karbi Anglong Superintendent of Police played the lead role in the operation against these poachers. The poachers tried to dominate KNP bordering areas and Bagser from March onwards. We spent three months to confine them. Unfortunately, we lost one rhino," he said. 

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