The organised gang of rhino-horn traders operating from Dimapur in Nagaland was encouraging poaching of rhinos in Assam.
Disclosing this, the security agencies have got specific input that rhino-horn traders, who are also involved in trading of illegal arms in Nagaland, are offering nothing less than `40,000 to `50,000 for each rhino horn. Authoritative security sources said that smugglers are using forest route through Karbi Anglong to smuggle the rhino horn to Dimapur market.
Informing that instant buyers and payment in cash has turned it into a more lucrative business than the trade of illegal arms for the local criminals in and around Kazirnga National Park, security sources said that they have been getting a lot of inputs on rhino-horn smugglers, which were passed on to the state police departments time to time.
Meanwhile, in an obvious attempt to placate the growing anger and protest among the people, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi here on Thursday ordered CBI investigation into the mysterious killing of 16 rhinos this year. Mr Gogoi, who arrived here on Thursday after his week-long visit to Japan also announced a cash reward of `5 lakhs to those who can help the police in busting the gang of poachers.