KAZIRANGA, Oct 2 - The recent arrest of rhino poachers in and around the Kaziranga forests has thrown fresh light on the issue and uncovered many vital aspects.
According to sources in the Kaziranga National Park, there was evidence of involvement of a former MLA of Nagaland in purchasing a piece of rhino horn from poachers.
Sources said that confessions made by recently arrested poachers had given detailed information to the park authorities about the chain involved � right from taking out of a rhino horn from Kaziranga National Park to the selling of the same at different places � including to the former MLA of Nagaland. This chain is operating since a long time, it is suspected, as the involvement of some casual workers of the Forest department getting involved in illegal activities could not be ruled out.
The park authority is in the process of carrying out some formalities as there is an issue of involvement of an ex-MLA from Nagaland.
It is believed that rhino horns were being sold off earlier too to many south east Asian nations and also to China through Assam�s neighbouring states and this will continue till there is a demand of rhino horn in the international market.
Kaziranga Wildlife Warden Uttam Saikia felt that there was a need to have a concrete pressure group from the Central government side to persuade the countries of South East Asia to help in checking rhino trading in their respective countries. Saikia added that IUCN was already working on it in order to check it.
