Four people were 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 an anti-wildlife trafficking operation, authorities said on Wednesday.
The operation was conducted on May 12 in Hollongi and adjoining areas of neighbouring Assam following specific intelligence inputs on illegal wildlife trade activities.
Papum Pare Superintendent of Police (Rural) Taru Gusar said one rhinoceros horn was recovered during the raid.
“One rhinoceros horn was seized during the operation,” Gusar said, adding that the accused disclosed the item was being smuggled for an estimated Rs 1.2 crore.
A case has been registered at Balijan Police Station and investigations are underway to determine possible interstate or international links connected to the trafficking network, he added.
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Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung praised the joint operation carried out by the police and the forest department.
“The successful joint operation carried out by Balijan Police and the forest department against the alleged smuggling of a suspected rhino horn reflects our government’s firm commitment towards wildlife protection and organised crime prevention,” Natung said in a post on X.
He warned that wildlife trafficking posed a major threat to ecological balance and the country’s natural heritage, adding that strict legal action would continue against those involved in such activities.
According to conservation bodies such as the World Wide Fund for Nature and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, poaching and habitat loss continue to endanger rhino populations despite ongoing conservation measures.
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