Ending the brief lull in rhino poaching incidents, poachers killed another rhino at the internationally-famous Kaziranga National Park before making good their escape after axing off the horn.
The incident took place around 8 am in the morning Friday when a group of poachers shot dead a male rhinoceros at Kukurkata under Burhapahar range of the park using AK 47 assault rifles.
The poachers then axed off the horn from the torso of the giant beast before fleeing. However, there are reports of a shootout between the poachers and forest guards after the rhino was killed. However, there has been no word from park authorities as to whether there were any casualties or injuries on either side amid reports of the poachers managing to escape.
Incidentally, it’s the first incident of rhino poaching in the State after the recent rejig of the Assam ministry when Parimal Suklabaidya was made the new Forest minister replacing Pramila Rani Brahma.