This is the first time poachers have been caught with AK-47s in Bengal
Four poachers have been arrested with a rhino horn, an AK 47 rifle and 46 bullets from a village inside the Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal early this morning.
This is the first time poachers have been caught with such a sophisticated weapon in Bengal. AK 47s are known to be used by poachers in Manas and Kaziranga sanctuaries in Assam. Those arrested revealed that the AK 47 was apparently brought by poachers from Assam who managed to flee just before the raid.
Based on a tip off, forest and CISF officials raided the house of one Sanjay Rabha at Uttar Mendapari village around 4 am. A source had said poachers from Assam had brought a rhino horn for sale.
During the search, under a pillow, the fully loaded AK 47 was found.
"Never has an AK 47 been used by poachers in north Bengal," said DFO Bhasker. "This is a first." Sources say central intelligence officials have been in touch to try and track the rifle down. They are probing if the rifle was brought to Bengal for poaching or terror attacks.
Forest officials said ever since central forces were deployed at Kaziranga to crackdown on rhino poaching, poachers from there have started eyeing the Buxa and Jaldapara National Parks.
The four men arrested have been remanded to police custody. They are apparently given the police names of suspected poachers in the neighbouring state.