Expert team begins verifying rhino horns

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 11: On camera and in presence of forensic experts, the much awaited physical verification of rhino horns started on Thursday morning at Golaghat Treasury. In Thursday's verification, the biggest rhino horn weighed 1.615 kg while the smallest weighed 20 gram.

After the verification of each rhino horn stored in 13 treasuries in the State, including the one at Golaghat, the expert committee led by Mohan Chandra Malakar, IFS (retd) will submit a detailed report to the State government. The verification includes checking genuineness, besides updating the complete inventory of rhino horns in custody of the State government.

It may be mentioned here that each of the rhino horns stored in State treasuries already has Government of India (GoI) serial number, which was tallied on Thursday while preparing the inventory. Weights and photographs of the horns were also taken. For scientific evaluation, the origil weight and present weight have also been recorded.

The rhino horns were physically examined by the experts of the committee. Whenever it was necessary, the opinion of forensic scientists were sought, who have opened a micro lab in the verification room itself, said sources.

Considering the large stock in Golaghat treasury, the verification process will continue for some time, sources added.

It is noteworthy that the State government constituted the Rhino Horn Verification Committee (RHVC) following suspicion about the genuineness of horns kept in 13 treasuries of the State.

Golaghat treasury has the highest number of rhino horns followed by gaon, Tezpur and Guwahati treasuries.