Two More Arrested In Rhino Poaching From Biswanath District

GUWAHATI: With the arrest of two persons on Saturday, the number of people apprehended for alleged involvement in rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park (KNP) and trading of rhino horns has risen to three. The two alleged rhino poachers were arrested from Biswanath district during a joint operation carried out by the personnel of Crime Investigation branch of Biswanath Chariali Range in coordination with the Officer in Charge of Sootea, informed Forest sources.

Acting on the statement made by the Toyikhu Zhimomi alias Master of Dimapur who had been arrested earlier on Wednesday night, the search operation on Saturday also led to the seizure of one .303 weapon and an inflatable boat with a pump from the duo.

The arrested alleged poachers have been identified as Yakub Ali from Bhujmari and Kasem Ali alias Kala from Milonpur.

Investigation is on.

The team of search officials included Assistant Conservator of Forest Kagesh Pegu, Forest Ranger Pranjal Gogoi and Sub Inspector, Sootea Poilce Station, Raju Duwarah.

Earlier on Wednesday night, personnel of the Forest department along with those of the Crime branch of Guwahati Police had apprehended Toyikhu Zhimomi alias Master from a guest house in the Hatigaon area here. He is allegedly connected with several rhinoceros poaching cases. Zhimomi is reportedly the kingpin of a racket involved in supplying arms and sharp shooters for rhino poaching in KNP. He is also a trader of rhino horns, stated police, adding that Zhimomi operates from Dimapur in Nagaland to Churachandpur in Manipur.

Sources further informed that during preliminary investigation it was revealed that the arrested person has already traded in more than 10 rhino horns since 2014. Zhimomi was wanted in a number of cases involving rhino poaching. The person was interrogated in KNP, informed sources.

Also Read: Forest Dept Personnel And Police Apprehend Person Allegedly Connected With Rhino Poaching