Guwahati

Assam Police arrested four suspected rhino poachers on Wednesday near Orang National Park, recovering weapons, ammunition, and other materials from their possession. The suspects, identified as Nur Hussain, Abul Hussain, Jaffar Ali, and Nur Islam, were caught planning to poach rhinos in the park. Police seized a .303 rifle with ammunition, three mobile phones, five motorcycles, and camping gear from the group. Assam’s Director General of Police, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, praised the Darrang district police for their swift action.

This arrest follows another recent operation on October 26, where Assam police and forest department personnel prevented a rhino poaching attempt at the Kaziranga National Park. Two poachers, Rasidul Haque and Sibe Ali, were arrested after intelligence indicated they were planning to hunt a rhino in the park. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other individuals involved.

Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the success in reducing rhino poaching, with an 86% drop since 2016. Over 2,850 rhinos were recorded in the state’s national parks in the 2022 census. Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains a key sanctuary for the one-horned rhino, along with Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Orang National Park.