Guwahati: A suspected rhino poacher has been arrested for allegedly being involved in poaching a rhino by the Assam Police on Wednesday.
The arrested poacher has been identified as Asmaat Ali alias Nalko who is a resident of Milanpur, Chatia of Biswanath District of Assam.
According to reports, he is accused of being involved in the recent rhino poaching case at the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) this January.
He was apparently hiding but had lately relocated to Kerala, where he was apprehended based on information.
Sharing the news on Twitter, Assam Special Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh wrote, “The main planner & perpetrator of recent Rhino poaching in Kaziranga picked up in Kerala. Great cooperation by @TheKeralaPolice.”
The main planner & perpetrator of recent Rhino poaching in Kaziranga picked up in Kerala. Great cooperation by @TheKeralaPolice pic.twitter.com/SBnxbMyXI9
— GP Singh (@gpsinghips) February 16, 2022
Forest and Environment Minister Parimal Suklabaidya expressed his gratitude to the Kerala Police for their cooperation in the case.
The evil accused in the recent rhino poaching act in @kaziranga_ has been nabbed from Kerela last night. Kudos to @assampolice & gratitude towards the cooperation from Kerela Police.
Team Assam under HCM Dr.@himantabiswa’s guidance is committed to counter such crimes. pic.twitter.com/MFKRERz2um— Parimal Suklabaidya (@ParimalSuklaba1) February 17, 2022
It may be noted after a decomposing rhino carcass was discovered in the Hilekhonda section of the KNP on January 20, the first case of rhino poaching of the year was recorded in Assam.
The 25- to 30-year-old rhino was discovered to have been killed by a gunshot during a KNP inquiry.
As per reports, the poachers were thought to have come from Biswanath Chariali.
It may be mentioned that rhino poaching has decreased dramatically in Assam in recent years. From a high of 27 rhinos murdered by poachers in 2013 and 2014, the number has dropped to just one rhino in 2021, a 21-year low.