New Delhi: CBI on Tuesday registered three cases in connection with poaching of rhinoceros in the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam, kick-starting a probe amid a surge in killings of these animals.
CBI sources said on Tuesday the cases have been handed over to one of the Economic Offences wings of the agency which specialises in investigating wild life crime related incidents.
The cases registered by the agency pertain to poaching of three rhinos which took place during July and September, 2012 in the districts Karbi Anglong and Nagaon of Assam.
KNP has witnessed an upsurge in poaching of rhinos since last year. Last year, 25 rhinos were killed in KNP, while 20 have been poached so far this year.
In Manas, two rhinos were poached this year and one was killed last year at Orang.
Agency spokesperson Dharini Mishra said as per practice CBI has taken over cases initially registered by Assam Police against unknown persons in districts of Karbi Anglong and Nagaon of Assam, for various offences of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the Arms Act, 1959.
The sources said a team of the agency is likely to visit KNP to interact with the local police and pick up any clues which might help it in probing the case.
They said the agency is also likely to seek the list of suspected poacher gangs who have been active in the area to look for trails.
CBI sources said the poachers had allegedly used fire arms to kill the rhinos to extract their body parts for selling it to middlemen.
The sources said a chain of middlemen operates in the illegal international wildlife trade which is the second largest after narcotics globally in terms of money involved.
The spokesperson said CBI took up the investigation on the request of Assam Government and further notification from Government of India.
CBI sources said on Tuesday the cases have been handed over to one of the Economic Offences wings of the agency which specialises in investigating wild life crime related incidents.
The cases registered by the agency pertain to poaching of three rhinos which took place during July and September, 2012 in the districts Karbi Anglong and Nagaon of Assam.
In Manas, two rhinos were poached this year and one was killed last year at Orang.
Advertisement
The sources said a team of the agency is likely to visit KNP to interact with the local police and pick up any clues which might help it in probing the case.
Advertisement
CBI sources said the poachers had allegedly used fire arms to kill the rhinos to extract their body parts for selling it to middlemen.
Advertisement
The spokesperson said CBI took up the investigation on the request of Assam Government and further notification from Government of India.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
In Assam, Epicentre Of Anti-CAA Protests, 1st Applicant Gets Citizenship Under Act CBI Team Visits Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped: 10 Points In Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case, CBI Will Investigate 6 Key Issues 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond Oropouche Virus Kills 2 In Brazil: All About The Rare Disease Punjab Toll Plaza Blunder: Man Charged Rs 220 While Relaxing At Home NIA Probes Blast That Killed 1, Turns Out To Be Cooker Making Khichdi Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.