Forest officials at Assam’s Raimona National Park have arrested a wanted wildlife offender during a routine patrol in the park’s core area, marking another significant success in the park’s ongoing efforts to curb wildlife crime.
The arrest was made at around 1 pm on July 12 between Compartment Nos. 6 and 7 under the Sanfan Range, where a patrol team from the Janagaon Beat intercepted a group that had allegedly entered the protected core zone illegally.
According to forest officials, the group had entered the national park to carry out illegal fishing, an activity prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act as it threatens the fragile aquatic ecosystem of the protected area.
While one person was apprehended, the remaining members of the group managed to escape into the dense forest and are currently absconding.
The arrested accused has been identified as Ramal Goyary, son of Santala Goyary and a resident of Bwrimakha FRA Village under Kachugaon Police Station in Kokrajhar district.
During preliminary interrogation, forest officials discovered that Goyary was also wanted in a wildlife crime case registered in 2024. He had allegedly been absconding since his involvement in a poaching incident two years ago.
Following the arrest, the Forest Department launched a search operation to trace the other suspects who fled from the scene.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting wildlife, the department said stringent legal action would be taken against anyone found involved in poaching, illegal fishing or unauthorised entry into protected forest areas.
The accused remains in forest custody, and legal proceedings have been initiated in connection with both the fresh offence and the pending 2024 wildlife crime case.
