Rhino poacher contesting rural polls unacceptable: Aaranyak

An environmental organisation on Friday expressed concern over the participation of an alleged rhino poacher in the forthcoming Panchayat elections in Assam.

Environmental and biodiversity organisation 'Aaranyak' said the alleged rhino poacher -- Ganesh Doley -- filed nominations yesterday at Bokakhat to contest for the post of president of the Gaon Panchayat as an AGP candidate from Dhansirimukh in Golaghat district.

"We are concerned that a person against whom cases related to rhino hunting and illegal arms are lodged, such accused are in election fray and have received tickets from a political party," Aaranyak's Secretary General Bibhab Talukdar said.

He said it is further indication that cases needed to be framed properly by law enforcement agencies to secure conviction so that rhinos are protected and accused are punished within the legal framework of India.

According to the police, Doley was arrested and jailed in 2012 in relation to a rhino poaching case in Bokakhat and again in 2014 he was arrested under Wildlife Protection Act and Arms Act.

A case has been filed against him at the Ronmongwe police station in Karbi Anglong while another was lodged at the Eastern Range, Agaratali, Kaziranga National Park.

Doley, who is currently out on bail, filed his nominations amidst much fanfare at Bokakhat, the assembly constituency of AGP president and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora.

AGP leaders were not available for comment.