300 AFPF Jawans Deployed in Kaziranga

To fight against poachers and protect wild animals in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Assam forest department on Thursday deployed 300 jawans of Assam Forest Protection Force (AFPF) in KNP.

During a function held in Guwahati, Assam Forest minister Rockybul Hussain said the department is concerned with the prevalent poaching of wild animals.

“We have deployed 300 AFPF jawans in KNP to protect wild animals and fight against poaching,” Hussain said.

This year poachers killed nine one horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga and managed to flee with their horns.

“The state government had already given a CBI inquiry into rhino killings in Kaziranga,” the Assam forest minister said.

To fight against poachers, they have looked into the strength of their intelligence network, Hussain said.

The minister also said the rhino census will be conducted after March, 2013.

Meanwhile, the minister said the Home department will procure AK-series rifles soon for forest guards to fight against poachers.

Hemanta Kumar Nath is a correspondent in Assam, India, who reports on local news in Assam, the north east Indian state.