Guwahati: Two poachers were arrested with two homemade rifles during an attempt to intrude into the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR).In a joint operation, forest guards and police caught the poachers on Wednesday night. The intrusion bid was a threat to the zero-poaching record that has been maintained at the park for the last two and a half years.The poachers allegedly tried to use rainy weather to sneak into the park, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Kaziranga National Park achieved zero rhino poaching in 2025. Acting on intel, a joint anti-rhino poaching operation was carried out in the Agaratoli Range area by forest officials, including DFO Eastern Assam Wildlife Division and range officer, and Golaghat police led by ASP (Crime) Golaghat, assisted by CDSP Bokakhat and staff.“The operation led to the recovery of two handmade rifles and a bike. The poachers were arrested while they were planning to enter Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve,” an official statement read.The arrested persons have been identified as Jintu Orang (40) of No. 2 Geleki village of Golaghat district and Sarbang Ranghang (31) of Dolamara Langmang Ranghang village of neighbouring Karbi Anglong district.According to a police officer, it was raining in the area when the poaching attempt was made. “During the rainy season, vegetation grows thicker and makes it difficult for forest staff to go patrolling in some locations. The poachers were trying to take advantage of this situation,” the officer added.“We are constantly on vigil. The coordination and information exchange between police and the forest department’s young officers, especially through the anti-poaching task force on the ground, has resulted in this success,” KNPTR director Sonali Ghosh told TOI.
