Poacher Arrested, Rhino Horn Smuggling Racket Busted In Arunachal Pradesh

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: A joint team of Arunchal Pradesh Police (APP) and Assam Forest, Eastern Range, Kaziranga National Park arrested one Rijen Pegu (30 years) for poaching of a rhinoceros and smuggling on Saturday.

Capital SP Tumme Ammo informed that a few mobile sets and various incriminating documents and records have been recovered from Pegu, who was later sent to Kaziranga National Park, Eastern Forest Range, Assam, on transit remand issued by the Court.

He said a joint team of Capital Police and Assam Forest, Eastern Range, Kaziranga National Park reacting to the Kaziranga National Park Case No ER/01 of 2019 nabbed Pegu for smuggling of rhino horn in the International market.“The Assam Forest team from the World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park approached me on Friday afternoon (June 14) and briefed about the case requesting me to help in the arrest of one Rijen Pegu,” he said, adding that a team was constituted led by Capital Police SI N Nishant and accordingly on the next day the joint team arrested Pegu.

Rijen Pegu is son of Dilipou Pegu of Pulisomunigaon village, Gohpur district Assam and residing at Gandhi Market, Itanagar. The horns are reportedly sold for Rs 30 lakh.

The SP also disclosed that the involvement of a few local youths from the State also cannot be ruled out. He requested the youths not to involve themselves in such crimes but direct their efforts and energy for their furthering their career and in nation building.

“The matter was not disclosed to media on Saturday as there was fear that some associates of the arrested person might attack the Assam Forest team on their way back to Kaziranga,” the SP added.

Meanwhile, the Assam Forest has appreciated the efforts of the Capital Police, and APP.

Also Read: Three Rhino Poachers arrested from Bagori Range of Kaziranga National Park