Guwahati: The proscribed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has stated that it supports the proposal of Assam government to trim the horns of one-horned Rhinoceros to save it from poachers’ bullet.
The ULFA in an e-mailed statement said that it was more concerned about the preservation of the rhino than its horn which keeps on increasing in length even after it is trimmed.
The ULFA called upon those organizations which have opposed trimming of horns, to suggest a viable alternative that can shield the rhino from poachers given that engagement of local people would be of much help given that a section of local people are also found involved in poaching of rhinos.
The ULFA termed unscientific the use of Drone aircraft for mounting surveillance against rhino poachers as well as the use of sophisticated weapons to guard against the poachers.
“Burning of effigies of Assam Forest minister Rakibul Hussain by different organizations in the wake of poaching of every rhino will not help. Instead such protests are responded by more killings of the rhinos,” the ULFA said.
The outfit stated that two specific experts from South Africa should be engaged for trimming of rhinos in Assam for getting the desired results.
Rhino poaching has reached an alarming proportions in Assam with poachers killing over 15 rhinos so far this year while 41 rhinos were killed last year.
Most of the poaching incidents occurred in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
