"People's firm belief in this government made it possible": Assam CM Sarma on crackdown against corruption, smuggling, and poaching

Guwahati (Assam) [India], March 24 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday highlighted his government's strong action against corruption, cow smuggling, and rhino poaching, saying that "our government arrested 4,300 cow smugglers and over 500 corrupt officials."
Speaking in the Assam Assembly, CM Sarma said that since 2021, 24 Class-I officers, 80 Class-II officers, and 349 Class-III and IV employees have been arrested on corruption-related charges.
He also noted that authorities have recovered 224.740 grams of gold and seized Rs 12 crore from the arrested officials.
"People's firm belief in this government has made this possible," the CM said.
Speaking about the state's crackdown on cow smuggling, CM Sarma highlighted his government's efforts with those of the previous Congress administration.
"We have arrested 4, 300 cow smugglers. If the argument is that earlier government also took action from 2010-16 congress arrested just 77 smugglers while we arrested 4,300 cow smugglers. Today, except for milking cows, not a single cow can enter Assam from Bengal or elsewhere. Police have ruthlessly chased smugglers. Does the opposition want me to compromise on this strong stance?" he said.
On rhino poaching, Sarma highlighted a major decline in cases, attributing the success to his government's strict measures.
"Today, we are appreciated worldwide for our efforts. Had we been involved in rhino poaching, we could have earned crores from a single Rhino horn, If we had permitted the killing of 25 rhinos per year, we too have had crores. Rhino poaching statistics are in 2021-three, in 2022-two, in 2023-zero, in 2024-two. In contrast, earlier years showed higher numbers: 2012-20 rhinos, 2013- 24 rhinos. The same forest officials and the same police were in place, so why did we fail to protect rhinos back then?" Sarma said. (ANI)