The two poachers after their arrest. Northeast Now

Acting on a tip-off, the Golaghat Police arrested two youths from Furkating Railway Station in Golaghat district in the wee hours of Wednesday for their alleged involvement in rhino poaching.

The accused have been identified as N Thangbai of Churachandpur in Manipur and Sarat Saikia of Tamulipathar at Bokakhat in Golaghat district.

According to police officials, the accused during interrogation confessed that they had a plan to carry out rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park.

The police officials also informed that a poachers’ gang, led by Sarat Saikia, had hired N Thanghai for the purpose.

Acting on Sarat Saikia’s statement, the police recovered a .303 rifle and 24 rounds of live cartridges from his residence at Tamulipathar.

The police officials also informed that the accused were arrested by the police when they were about to return after failing to enter the Kaziranga National Park for rhino poaching due to tight vigilance of the police and forest personnel on Tuesday night.

As per reports, Sarat Saikia has a number of cases against him for his alleged involvement in rhino poaching.

Uttam Saikia is Northeast Now Correspondent in Kaziranga. He can be reached at: [email protected]