Joint Operations against poachers in Kaziranga from Feb 6

Guwahati: Assam police, Para military forces and Assam Forest Protection Force will be launched intensive operation against poachers in Kaziranga National Park and neighboring areas including Karbi Anglong from February 6.

The decision was taken during a high level meeting held in Guwahati Guwahati in presence of newly appointed Assam forest minister Atuwa Munda, ADGP (L&O) RM Singh, ADGP (STF) AP Raut, PCCF VK Visnoi, Director of Kaziranga MK Yadava and other top officials of State forest department.

"We are very concerned about the recent poaching incidents in Kaziranga and take necessary steps to protect wild animals, " Assam forest minister Atuwa Munda said.

The minister also said that, the department will fill up the vacant posts of forest ranger, guard in the national park soon.

"The forest department will take stern action against those officials whether the poaching incident will happen their areas after February 6," the minister said.

The state forest department will be recruited young and energetic officials, forest guards instead of old officials, guards.

On other hand, Assam forest department has announced cash reward of Rs one lakh for given information of poachers.

To protect wild animals including one horned rhinoceros, the department will be arranged a top level security meeting soon.

Poachers had killed at least six rhinos including five alone in Kaziranga in this year so far.

By Hemanta Kumar Nath