Kaziranga, Assam: Villagers residing near the Kaziranga National Park, Tuesday night caught two alleged poachers responsible for the recent rhino killings inside the park. One of them later managed to escape.

The forest officials were in search of the suspected poachers, Prabhat and Tikendra Saikia (20) of Tamuli Pathar village in Golaghat district and had questioned their families.

A six member Village Defence Party (VDP) of Difalo Pathar Ahom Gaon was patrolling their beat when they spotted the two with luggage trying to escape, about 4kms from their village. The team overpowered the duo and tied them up with ropes.

However, one of the accused, Tikendra Saikia managed to escape before he could be handed over to the authorities. A joint team of forest officials and VDP is combing the area to catch him.

Earlier in the day, forest officials had questioned the parents of the alleged poachers and this had probably alarmed the two suspects. They were planning to leave the village in the night when they chanced upon the VDP team.

“This is a perfect example of villagers residing near a protected forest working in tandem with forest officials and helping in reducing instances of poaching in national parks,” Ashok Kumar, Vice Chairman, Wildlife Trust of India, said.

After the death of tenth rhino in the park this year, VDP members have strengthened their intelligence network and increased night patrolling.

A long relationship of confidence and trust with the villagers on the fringes of the park and their commitment to save rhino has borne fruit,” Utpal Bora, Divisional Forest Officer of the park said.
VDPs are state approved volunteers appointed to protect and guard villages at night. Currently, there are 120 VDPs around the park assisting the park officials.

“Rhino has always been a pride for the people of Assam and we will do everything to save it,” a VDP member said.

Pix Credits :Uttam Saikia