Two suspected rhino poachers were arrested during a joint operation by the forest and police officials on Friday night along with arms.
The arrested poachers have been identified as 23-year-old Md. Hanif Ali, son of late Subrati Ansari, a resident of Boludunga under Biswanath Chariali police station and 21-year-old Md.Abdul Sohid, son of Md. Bakkar Ali, a resident of Boludunga under Biswanath Chariali police station.
According to information the operation was carried out jointly by the Crime Investigation Range of Biswanath Wildlife Division and the Gingia police on the National Highway 15 near Crystal Maze of Baghamari area under the Biswanath district.
Two .303 rifles have been seized from the possession of the arrested poachers.
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Besides, one mobile phone and a motorcycle bearing registration no AS12-Q-7809 were also recovered from them.
The joint team of forest and police was led by Pranjal Baruah, ranger, Crime Investigation Range, Biswanath Charali and officer-in-charge Biswajit Medhi of Gingia police station.
Additional superintendent of police (ASP) of Biswanath district Jayanta Sarathi Bora and deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Mussabar Rahman also joined the investigation.
The rifles were recovered from a big gunny bag containing rice husk.
“One of the poachers, namely Hanif Ali, tried to escape by throwing the bag. However, the team was finally able to arrest them from a nearby paddy field,” said official sources.
They will be produced before the BNC court on charge of hunting attempt in the 6th addition of the Kaziranga National Park and for possessing weapons for hunting.