Guwahati, Three people were arrested after a coordinated operation in Golaghat and Jorhat districts on suspicion of their involvement in rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park in Assam. An official gave this information on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint operation was launched by the forest department and police in both the districts from Tuesday, a park official said.
A man, identified as Amar Choudhary, also known as Harilal Choudhary, was stopped from Jugal Ati village on the way to Bokakhat town on May 21. Later, after interrogation, a plan to trade in a rhinoceros horse was revealed in Palashguri village of Golaghat district.
As a result, a joint operation was launched in the village which resulted in the arrest of Gunakant Doli, allegedly involved in illegal rhino horn trade, on Wednesday.
Further investigation and search at Chaudhary's residence led to the discovery of six rounds of .303 live ammunition hidden in a bamboo bush in his backyard. Chaudhary implicated Achinta Morang, also known as Empey Morang, the mastermind of the group involved in the illegal trade of rhino horns.
The official said that Morang was caught from Kareng Chapori in Jorhat district on Thursday. During interrogation he revealed that he possessed a .303 rifle and three rounds of ammunition for rhino hunting in Majuli.
Based on prima facie evidence of their involvement in attempted rhino poaching, illegal possession of wildlife articles and attempted trade in rhino horns, the accused were booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and A case has been registered under relevant sections of Wildlife (Protection). ) (Assam Amendment Act, 2009.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint operation was launched by the forest department and police in both the districts from Tuesday, a park official said.
A man, identified as Amar Choudhary, also known as Harilal Choudhary, was stopped from Jugal Ati village on the way to Bokakhat town on May 21. Later, after interrogation, a plan to trade in a rhinoceros horse was revealed in Palashguri village of Golaghat district.
As a result, a joint operation was launched in the village which resulted in the arrest of Gunakant Doli, allegedly involved in illegal rhino horn trade, on Wednesday.
Further investigation and search at Chaudhary's residence led to the discovery of six rounds of .303 live ammunition hidden in a bamboo bush in his backyard. Chaudhary implicated Achinta Morang, also known as Empey Morang, the mastermind of the group involved in the illegal trade of rhino horns.
The official said that Morang was caught from Kareng Chapori in Jorhat district on Thursday. During interrogation he revealed that he possessed a .303 rifle and three rounds of ammunition for rhino hunting in Majuli.
Based on prima facie evidence of their involvement in attempted rhino poaching, illegal possession of wildlife articles and attempted trade in rhino horns, the accused were booked under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and A case has been registered under relevant sections of Wildlife (Protection). ) (Assam Amendment Act, 2009.
