The poacher who was gunned down by forest personnel in Nameri National Park and Tiger Reserve in Sonitpur district have been identified as Debeswar Pogag.

The 38-year-old Pogag hailed from Dharikiti village in the district.

Forest guards had opened fire on four poachers, including him while they were trying to free from the national park.

One of the poachers also sustained injuries during the firing and managed to flee from the spot along with two others.

The police have not been able to trace their whereabouts so far.

Pogag’s family members identified his body, which was sent for post mortem.

The forest guards also recovered one gun and two bags from him.

Meanwhile,  Ramesh Gogoi, the then range officer of the Nameria range had arrested Pogag in 2010 and recovered poison from his possession.

He had to be let off because of lack of evidence.

Again in 2014, forest officials caught him red-handed while poaching in the Nameri National Park and Tiger Reserve.

During interrogation, he revealed that he along with other poachers was involved in the poaching of wild elephants and had killed several animals.

He even showed forest officials the carcass of an elephant hidden near the Kochutali Hills in Nameri.

His wife was reportedly a party to his crime and used to sell venison meat and collect money on his behalf.

Based on his confessions, a fast-track court convicted Pogag, sentencing him to seven years in prison.

The Gauhati High Court, however, granted him bail.

Poaching activities continue in the state as most poachers get bail even after being convicted for their crimes.

Strict punishment should be accorded to them to check such activities, a forest official said.