Seven nabbed in Assam for possessing tiger skin, bones

Sleuths of the Kaziranga national park in Assam have arrested seven poachers for their alleged involvement in killing a Royal Bengal tiger, forest officials said on Saturday.

Kaziranga Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rohini Saikia said the guards arrested seven persons after they were found in possession of tiger skin and bones from Kahara range of the park.

"The tiger was killed in Korjutpahar area in Karbi Anglong. We believe that they killed the tiger about 25 days back and were trying to smuggle it out," Saikia said, adding they were produced in the court and taken in remand of the department for questioning.

Animal body parts are in huge demand in some of the South East Asian countries for their use in traditional medicines and some prevailing superstitions. Poachers here often target the one-horned rhino to smuggle the horn for a huge price in some countries.

The Assam government has taken several steps to stop the wildlife crimes, including poaching of rhinos and tigers leading to a substantial reduction in the crime.

Assam Forest and Environment Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya appreciated the effort of the frontline staff and officers of the department which led to the arrest of seven poacers, saying the government has removed political intervention in the department so that officers and staff can work freely.

--IANS

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