Assam CM asks police to help forest officials in tackling poaching

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday asked police chiefs of districts surrounding the Kaziranga to assist the Forest Department in containing the menace of poaching after after three rhinos including a calf were killed inside the famous national park in the last 48 hours.

While the poachers have killed one rhino on Friday night inside the park, another mother rhino and a calf was killed inside the park on Saturday night.

"There has been no poaching in last six months. However, the recent incident has indicated that the poachers have been active again. The SPs (Superintendents of Police) of Nagaon, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, Biswanath and Sonitpur have been asked to assist the forest officials in operation against the poachers," Sonowal told media persons on the sidelines of a government function.

With the killing of three one-horned rhinos, the total rhinos poached in Kaziranga national park became 5 this year.

"We are going to deal with the poachers very strictly and we are going to protect the one-horned rhinos, the pride of Assam at any cost," said the Chief Minister while appealing the villagers of fringe villages to extend their help in containing the menace of poaching.

"The villagers living in fringe areas of Kaziranga national park had earlier also showed their courage in apprehending the poachers. I appeal to them to help the forest officials and police so that the poachers could not take advantage," said Sonowal.

In 2016, poachers have killed over 11 one-horned rhinos in the park, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site.

--IANS

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