OUR CORRESPONDENT
DIGBOI: Digboi Forest Division achieved a major breakthrough following the recovery of a 1.6-foot-long missing ivory tusk weighing 1.8 kilograms on Monday morning during an intense operation launched at Digboi Lakhipathar in Assam’s Tinsukia district.
According to officials engaged in an extensive 19-day search operation since the intentional electrocution and poaching of a mature elephant, the ivory tusk meant to be smuggled was recovered from the residence of the already-arrested accused Nitul Moran of Upper Mamorani village on Monday morning. The incident of poaching in a tea garden had surfaced earlier on May 30, following which the owner of the garden, being the accused, was arrested based on credible evidence and confessions.
However, nothing significant about the chopped ivory tusk was revealed earlier during the interrogation, which had posed a serious challenge for the forest department to trace and seize the stolen wildlife property.
Rising beyond the challenge, BV Sandeep, IFS, DFO Digboi who had taken over the charge just a week before the incident, was committed to recover the lost property of the government and book the poacher at any cost under the relevant sections of the Forest Act.
“I am glad that the relentless efforts of the different wings of the forest department finally bore the fruits despite various ordeals, showing great resilience,” said the DFO.
“No tolerance for wildlife poaching or any anti-forest activity will be admissible within the jurisdiction,” added the top official of the division.
Also Read: Assam: Tusker electrocuted in Digboi; ivory taken out
Also Watch: