Forest guards gun down two ‘poachers’ in Laokhowa sanctuary

GUWAHATI: Two suspected poachers were shot dead by forest guards at Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Nagaon district early on Saturday for allegedly catching fish in the Rowmari Beel that falls under the sanctuary.
Abdul Jalil (40) and Sameer Uddin (35), both brothers, were gunned down in the Charaihagi forest camp of the sanctuary during a routine patrol by forest guards.They were residents of Dhingbori chapori village in Nagaon district’s Juria.
Talking to TOI on Saturday, a forest official said, “A group of 15-20 villagers entered near the beel on Friday night and based on a tip-off, forest guards ambushed the area. The group tried to attack the guards and in retaliation, the latter opened fired resulting in the death of the two brothers. Other members of the group, however, fled the scene. The duo was brought to Nagaon Civil Hospital, where the doctors declared them dead.”
The official added that sharp weapons used for catching fish were recovered from their possession. “However, exactly with what intention they entered the sanctuary could only be ascertained after a thorough investigation,” he said.
The forest department has lodged an FIR and a magisterial inquiry has been initiated. Roumari Beel and adjoining grassland areas are one of the most prominent rhino habitats under Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary had a tragic past of rhino poaching, illegal fishing, hunting, and encroachment in the 1980s.