Acting on precise intelligence inputs, officials from the Eastern Range Gamiri and the Crime Investigation Range, Biswanath Chariali, under the jurisdiction of the Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, have successfully apprehended a high-profile fugitive. The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Ratnakanta Pegu, was taken into custody for his alleged involvement in the illegal trading of Royal Bengal Tiger body parts. Pegu, a resident of Aathaishsharia village located in the Biswanath district, had managed to evade authorities for several months before this targeted operation brought his time on the run to an end.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in offence case ER/02-2025, a matter for which Pegu has been sought since November 2025. According to officials familiar with the investigation, the accused is not a newcomer to wildlife crime; he reportedly possesses a documented history of involvement in rhino poaching activities spanning from 2019 to 2024. This latest apprehension underscores the persistent efforts of regional wildlife protection units to dismantle networks profitng from the exploitation of endangered species within the protected corridors of Assam.
Following the successful capture, the Eastern Range Gamiri and Crime Investigation Range teams are now intensifying their inquiries to uncover further details regarding the smuggling network. While Pegu remains in custody, the legal proceedings and investigative efforts are currently underway to determine the full extent of his operations and any potential accomplices involved in the illicit wildlife trade. The case remains a high priority for the Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve authorities as they continue to uphold stringent conservation laws.
