Assam: 5 poachers apprehended in Nagaon, several animal parts seized

Guwahati (Assam) [India], August 24 (ANI): In a joint operation the sleuths of Special Task Force (STF) of Assam police and WCCB, Assam unit recovered a large number of animal parts including 12 ivory pieces and apprehended five poachers in Assam's Nagaon district on Wednesday, an official said.
"During the joint operation 12 numbers of ivory, 2 numbers of tiger canine, 15 numbers of rhino hooves, one deer antler, 1.031 kg of pangolin scale and 5 numbers of mobile phones were recovered and seized from their possession. The apprehended five poachers and the recovered and seized items were handed over to Jakhalabandha police station by the STF team for initiating legal actions against the perpetrators and for further investigation," the senior police official said.
Acting upon a reliable source input with regards to poachers in Kaziranga an operation team of STF, Assam proceeded from Guwahati to Kaliabor of Nagaon district in order to apprehend the perpetrators.
Partha Sarathi Mahanta, Chief of STF Assam told ANI that a team from WCCB, Assam unit also accompanied the STF team for the operation.
"The joint operation team carried out search operations at various places under Jakhalabandha police station and Kaliabar police station of Nagaon district where a total of five poachers have been apprehended along with various contraband wildlife items," Partha Sarathi Mahanta said.
The apprehended poachers were identified as Md Gafar Quresy (24 years old), Md Okil Quresy (60 years old), Md Safiqul Islam (39 years old), all from Jakhalabandha, Ujjal Bharali (20 years old) of Rowta and Aditya Sarma (23 years old) of Khanapara, Guwahati.
Accordingly, a case has been registered vide Jakhalabandha police station Case No 122/2023 U/S 9/39/44/48(A)/49(B)/51 of Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 for initiating legal action. (ANI)