Four poachers were shot dead by frontline guards inside the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam in the early hours of Friday. The park authorities have launched a combing operation inside the World Heritage Site to nab other poachers.
Famous for the one-horned rhinoceros, the KNP also has the highest tiger density in the world. A .303 rifle, five live rounds of ammunition and jungle boots were recovered.
A park official told TheHindu that a six-member team of forest guards and jawans of the forest battalion came across the gang of poachers after hearing gunshots at 2 a.m. at Mihimukh under the park's Kohora range. A gun-battle followed and the four poachers were killed on the spot.
“However, we suspect there could be more members of the gang and a combing operation has been launched by deploying frontline staff on elephant backs to trace and nab the poachers,” the official said.
‘Alert staff'
Assam Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain attributed the success of the action against poachers to the alertness of the park staff and the determined efforts by the department to curb poaching in the entire State.
Poachers try to take advantage of the rainy season as the grasses grow taller during this time. “However, everyone in the park was fully alert, particularly during the night, and because of this alertness and dedication of the park staff success could be achieved.”
The Kaziranga Jeep Safari Association felicitated the forest guards and presented a cash award of Rs.6,000 to them. Association president Punen Gogoi said a meeting was arranged to felicitate the forest guards and forest battalion personnel with a gamocha (traditional Assamese towel) and present the award in the presence of park officials and the local public.
“We have around 200 members involved in running the jeep safari and we extended full support to the forest guards and forest battalion in curbing poaching activities. We have also promised to act as a force multiplier to back up their efforts by keeping a strong vigil against poachers or anyone who is out to cause harm to park animals and properties,” Mr. Gogoi said.
The incident took place a day after Mr. Hussain handed over 25 service revolvers (7.65 mm) to 13 forest divisions, including six to Kaziranga, and five motorbikes to five divisions as part of initiatives to equip them better in fighting poachers.
Earlier on Tuesday, a seven-member gang of poachers was arrested by the police in collaboration with the Forest Department at Numaligarh in upper Assam's Golaghat district. A rhino horn and Rs.3 lakh in cash were recovered from them.
