GUWAHATI: Three persons suspected of planning rhino poaching inside the 6th addition area of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve were apprehended during a joint operation conducted by forest officials at Narayanpur in Lakhimpur district on Saturday, May 9.
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The operation was carried out by teams of the Eastern Range, Gamiri and Crime Investigation Range of Biswanath Wildlife Division following specific intelligence inputs in connection with Offence No. ER/02 of 2026 dated March 21. During the operation, officials recovered and seized a country-made rifle bolt and butt, without a magazine, from Ukhal Chuk in Majuli district.
The detained persons were identified as Kiran Pegu of Ukhal Chuk in Majuli district, Riju Pegu alias Rijukanta of Chesa in Lakhimpur district, and Pulen Kaman, son of Amula Kaman, of Dak Chapori in Biswanath district.
The forest department suspects that the accused were planning to carry out rhino poaching activities inside the protected area. The operation was launched after intelligence agencies received inputs regarding the movement and activities of the suspects.
Earlier in March this year, a .303 rifle along with 13 rounds of ammunition had been recovered from the Gopaljarani area near Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Investigators suspect that the earlier recovery may be linked to the present case.
Further investigation is underway