Rhino not safe in hands of Rakibul: KSUP

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, January 12: The Krishak Sramik Unyan Parishad (KSUP) went at the ubated killing of rhino in the state hammer and tongs, and said that state Forest Minister Rakibul Hussain was dreaming of becoming a crorepati from rhino horn business.

In a statement issued to the press on Monday, the Parishad said: “Hussain doesn’t want the survival of one–horned rhino in Assam. Instead warning the forest officials for their repeated failure to protect rhinos, he encourages them to neglect their duty. In fact, the minister can’t dictate the officials since he is getting commission from them.”

The parishad said: “In his Samaguri constituency, the minister gave permission for opening saw mills to a number of people, mainly local Congress leaders. Most of the panchayat representatives in the LAC have saw mills. The LAC has 35 saw mills. This is nothing but encouraging deforestation.”

The Parishad said rhino were not safe in the hands of Hussain, and as such the Centre should intervene and order a high–level inquiry into the killings of rhino in the state.