Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Jan 2 - Nagaon Police has ensured zero rhino poaching incidence in the two forest ranges of the Kaziranga National Park in a calendar year (2019).
The two forest ranges that fall under the Nagaon district are Bagori and Burhapahar. Nagaon Superintendent of Police Shankarbrata Rai Medhi informed that the relentless anti-poaching initiatives have reaped the desired results and that the Nagaon Police was able to apprehend 21 poachers in 2019, thereby averting the poaching attempts.
As many as 51 incidents of poaching were reported between 2011 and 2018 in both the ranges under Jakhalabandha police station.
“We were able to break the backbone of the Churachandpur gang of Manipur by arresting the gang members that was largely responsible for poaching of rhinos. As part of its sustained operation, Nagaon Police also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Improved intelligence gathering and synergy among various stakeholders including police and the forest department turned out to be a game changer,” Rai Medhi said.
“Because of the hilly terrain and lack of formal protection on the forests of Karbi Anglong bordering Kaziranga, the Burhapahar range is very sensitive. Our team, especially the Jakhalabandha Police, was able to tighten the noose around the gang of poachers,” he said.
Rai Medhi also said that the investigators also made it a point to charge-sheet the case within the stipulated time, which was a major deterrent for the poachers.
Source: The Assam Tribune, Guwahati, Friday, January 3, 2020