57 poachers active in Raimona National Park surrender arms

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GUWAHATI: 

On the occasion of World Rhino Day, around 57 poachers who were until recently active in the Raimona National Park in the Kokrajhar district of Assam surrendered arms before the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

Pramod Boro, chief executive member of the BTC, extended financial assistance to the poachers in the form of an ex-gratia amount of ₹50,000. Urging other poachers to surrender, he added that similar financial support would be provided for those who surrender.

It must be reminded that the Assam government burnt 2,479 rhinoceros horns yesterday amongst its stockpile of reconciled horns as a part of a "rhino horn re-verification" exercise. It took this historic opportunity to bust myths surrounding the so-called "power" of rhino horns. The burning of rhino horns is expected to send a strong message to smugglers and poachers involved in the killing of rhinos.

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