Itanagar, May 13: Four people have been arrested in Arunachal Pradesh’s Papum Pare district after police and forest officials seized a suspected rhinoceros horn valued at around Rs 1.2 crore during a crackdown on wildlife trafficking.
According to officials, the joint operation was carried out on May 12 in Hollongi and adjoining areas of Assam following specific intelligence inputs regarding illegal wildlife trade activities.
Papum Pare Superintendent of Police (Rural) Taru Gusar said one rhino horn was recovered during the operation. During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that the wildlife contraband was being smuggled for an estimated value of Rs 1.2 crore.
Police have registered a case at Balijan Police Station, and investigators are now probing possible interstate and international links connected to the trafficking network.
Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung praised the joint operation conducted by Balijan Police and the forest department, describing it as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to wildlife protection and action against organised crime.
In a post on X, Natung said illegal wildlife trafficking poses a serious threat to ecological balance and India’s natural heritage, adding that strict legal action would continue against those involved in such activities.
Wildlife conservation groups have repeatedly highlighted poaching and habitat destruction as major threats to rhinoceros populations across South Asia despite ongoing conservation efforts.
