Rhino killed in Kaziranga

Kaziranga: An adult rhino was Wednesday killed and its horn removed by poachers in Assam's Kaziranga National Park.

The is a second incident of rhino killing within a week.

The carcass of the male rhino was found by patrolling forest guards from near Bahubil camp in Burapahar range of the Park, forest officials said.

Combing operations have been intensified in the Park to apprehend the poachers who managed to escape with the horn.

This is the seventh rhino falling prey to poachers this year in Kaziranga after the killing of a rhino with its horn sliced off in the Kaziranga National Park (Northern Range) last Friday.

The frequent killing of rhinos in the famous Park has led to widespread condemnation with state Governor P B Acharya expressing dismay over the issue and even asked the Forest minister to quit which triggered a controversy.

The Governor had issued a statement and also expressed concern several times over rhino poaching, warning that strict action will be taken to protect the rhino.

The Governor triggered a controversy after he asked the forest minister to step down if rhino poaching cannot be stopped.

He later called officials of the Forest Department to brief him about the shortcomings in protection of rhinos and said everyone should resign if they could not stop poaching.

The Congress yesterday termed Acharya's behaviour 'arbitrary' over the rhino issue and urged the leader of Congress Legislature Party to take up the matter with President Pranab Mukherjee.