Rhino is Assam's identity: Assam Guv

Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit today said the rhino is the state's identity and called for strict punitive measures to deal with its poaching, exhorting people to ensure the development of a society where there is no cruelty to the animal.
"Inflicting pain to the rhino amounts to inflicting pain on the people of Assam", Purohit said flagging off the "Save the rhino, run for the pride" marathon at the Raj Bhavan.
Greed has prompted anti-social elements to kill rhinos and everybody must be alert and fight against the menace of poaching, he said, adding "there should be no leniency shown to the poachers and strict punitive measures must be taken to deal with rhino poaching".

Massive awareness should be generated at all levels to build a society friendly to the 'pride of Assam' and the message of rhino protection should spread to every nook and corner of the state, Purohit said.
The marathon around the city would be held on February 8 to create a mass awareness against rhino poaching and to save the animal from extinction.