GUWAHATI, Aug 24 - Esob Ali, conservationist and a resident of Mayong near Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary succumbed to his injuries at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital on Friday.
Ali who suffered a murderous assault on him by miscreants on Thursday night had been assisting conservation and protection agencies working at Pobitora to enhance protection of rhinos for the past 15 years.
Significantly, on way to the GMCH, Ali gave his statement in front of the office in-charge of Mayong police station, mentioning the names of the culprits who attacked him.
Ali who himself was a surrendered poacher had been assisting forest and police officials with vital intelligence inputs on the movement of poachers and arms and ammunition in the past one-and-a-half decade during which has he saved at least 10-15 rhinos from poachers.
In 1997-98, then Range officer of Pobitora WLS, Mrigen Baruah persuaded him to leave poaching and help protecting the rhinos. During 1998 about 18 rhino poachers surrendered and Esob was one of them. After reforming himself following the surrender, he assisted the enforcement agencies to check poaching in and around Pobitora WLS.
Although many of the surrendered poachers had gone back to poaching, Ali remained loyal to rhino conservation and his tireless efforts to check poaching made him the enemy of poachers, resulting in the murderous attack on him.
