GUWAHATI: A rhino poacher was shot and killed in an exchange of fire with police personnel in Assam's Chirang district along the Indo-Bhutan border on Monday morning. The incident occurred as the accused, identified as Naweswar Basumutary, attempted to escape from police custody and attacked law enforcement officers.
In a joint operation involving the Special Task Force (STF), Chirang district police, and the forest department, three rhino poachers were apprehended. The operation unfolded when a police team accompanied one of the arrested poachers to a location near the Indo-Bhutan border where hidden weapons were suspected. At this point, the arrested poacher launched an assault on the police personnel, attempting to flee the area.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Partha Sarathi Mahanta, the police officers were left with no choice but to open fire in self-defence, resulting in the demise of Naweswar Basumutary.
"The poacher was killed after police personnel fired upon him in self-defence," Mahanta stated to the media.
Pranjit Borah, the Superintendent of Police for Chirang District, disclosed that the arrested poacher was part of a larger seven-member group. The group had established a camp in Baksa district in April, where they carried out the killing of a rhino within the Manas National Park. The rhino horn was subsequently sold outside the state.
The authorities continue their investigation into the incident and the larger poaching operation, with efforts underway to apprehend the remaining members of the poaching group.
Pranjit Borah, Superintendent of Police, Chirang District has said that it is a seven-member group out of which three were arrested.
He further said that a police investigation is on and we are continuing our operation to nab the absconding other poachers.
While talking to G Plus, Parthasarathi Mahanta, DIG said, “Manas National Park has become the new target for poachers and STF with the help of Chirang, Baksa police and Forest Department have been trying to nab the ones responsible.”