Assam News

One sharpshooter, three rhino poachers arrested in Nagaon

Sentinel Digital Desk

A CORRESPONDENT

JAKHALABONDHA: Jakhalabondha Police in Nagaon district arrested three hardcore rhino poachers and one sharpshooter from Nagaland in an operation carried out in the early hours on Monday.

Acting on a tipoff, a team of Jakhalabondha Police led by the Officer in-Charge Sub-Inspector Nipu Kalita, assisted by Sub-Inspectors Biplob Kowar and Udayak Basumatary, conducted an operation in Kaziranga National Park (KNP) area and arrested two poachers along with their hired shooter from Dimapur in Nagaland.

The police also recovered one .303 rifle along with silencer and 10 rounds of live ammunition, which were carried in a plastic bag.

The arrested poachers are Deni Yepthomi (27) — son of Symmon Yepthomi of village Kiyezu under Newland Police Station in Newland district, Nagaland; Anowar Hussain (23), son of Jamaluddin of village Rupahi Saidor, and Rofiqul Islam (45) — son of Mofizuddin of village No. 9 Kathpara, both under Rupohi Police station in Nagaon district.

One of the arrested poachers, Anowar Hussain had been earlier arrested in 2019 for his involvement in rhino poaching. Sub-Inspector Nipu Kalita had arrested him.

Significantly, on Monday evening, another hardcore poacher, Baharul Islam (25) — son of Taher Uddin of village Kuhumtoli under Samaguri Police Station in Nagaon district, was also arrested. The police also recovered a motorcycle from his possession.