GUWAHATI, JANUARY 4 /–/ Four suspected poachers have been apprehended for their involvement in the killing of a hog deer at Bokakhat in Upper Assam’s Golaghat district.
According to information provided by Kaziranga National Park authorities on Thursday, the carcass of the hog deer was found dead in the vicinity of Koilakhat village in Bokakhat by a team, comprising a range officer, investigating officer and 10 armed personnel, on Tuesday.
“Employing the specialised skills of a sniffer dog, the team traced the escape path of the suspected poachers. Along the trail, items of interest were recovered, including an iron spear believed to be the weapon used to kill the hog deer, a bamboo stick and a grey cap,” sources said.
After a meticulous pursuit, the suspected poachers attempted to evade capture by fleeing through a bushy outgrowth, eventually leading towards Difloo Tea Estate in Bokakhat. However, one suspect, Piyoli Kheriya of Kheriya Gaon, was apprehended by the team.
Subsequent interrogation revealed his direct involvement in poaching, along with divulgence of his accomplices’ identities.
In a significant breakthrough on Wednesday, three other individuals, identified as Maina Munda, Chaban Gorh and Bhula Uriya, all residents of Kheriya Gaon and directly implicated in the hog deer’s killing, were apprehended.
Hog deer (Axis porcinus) is a Schedule I endangered species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022.
IANS
