Another rhino poaching attempt foiled in Kaziranga, 3 poachers arrested

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 24, 2024

Forest personnel guarding the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) foiled another attempt of poachers to kill world-famous one-horned rhino and arrested three of them on May 21, park authorities said on Friday.

Three poachers have been identified as Achinta Morang alias Empe Morang, Amar Choudhury alias Harilal Choudhury and Gunakanta Doley.

Achinta Morang alias Empe Morang, is believed to be the mastermind of the attempt.

“A joint operation was launched by Kaziranga National Park, Bokakhat Police, Jorhat Forest Division and Jorhat Police based on specific input provided by an arrested criminal,” KNPTR field director Sonali Ghosh said.

“The plan of a poachers’ gang to kill a rhino inside the national park was exposed following the arrest of Amar Choudhury, alias Harilal Choudhury, who was arrested from Jugal Ati village while en route to Bokakhat town on May 21. During interrogation, Choudhury revealed plans for a meeting involving the trade of a rhino horn, scheduled to take place at Palashguri village around 7:30 pm,” Ghosh said. 

She said subsequent joint operation of forest and police led to the arrest of Gunakanta Doley who was involved in the rhino horn trade.

“Further investigations and a search at Choudhury’s residence conducted with the assistance of Golaghat Police, led to the recovery of six rounds of .303 live ammunition concealed in between a bamboo clump in his backyard. Choudhury later identified Achinta Morang, alias Empe Morang, as the main mastermind behind the group,” Ghosh also said.

Acting on Choudhury’s information, Achinta Morang was apprehended from Kareng Chapori, Jorhat, with assistance from the Jorhat Police and Jorhat Forest Division. 

“Morang’s interrogation revealed that a .303 rifle and three rounds of ammunition were obtained for hunting a rhino in the chapori area in Majuli,” she added.

Based on prima facie evidence of involvement in attempted rhino poaching, illegal possession of wildlife articles, and the attempted trade of rhino horns, an offence has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Wildlife (Protection) (Assam Amendment) Act, 2009.

The trio has been remanded to judicial custody after court production.

This is the second attempt by poachers to kill rhinos inside the national park.

On May 11, forest personnel foiled an attempt of a group of poachers to sneak into the National Park by killing one poacher on the spot near Erasuti Anti-Poaching Camp under the Agaratoli Range.

A modified .303 rifle and five live cartridges were also recovered from the slain poacher, whose body is yet to be identified.