Four arrested with rhino horn in Sunsari; investigation underway

Sunsari. An investigation has been initiated against four individuals arrested from Barju Rural Municipality-4 with a rhino horn.

The Division Forest Office, Sunsari, identified the arrested individuals as 39-year-old Rajesh Kumar Uraon and 31-year-old Jivan Chaudhary from Barju-6, 33-year-old Rabin Kumar Yadav from Barju-5, and 40-year-old Narayan Prasad Ghimire from Pathari Shanishchare Municipality-1, Morang.

A team deployed from the Armed Police Force Nepal No. 1 Barah Brigade, Pakali, arrested them on Friday while they were weighing the horn near Barju Lake. Divisional Forest Officer Ritesh Bhushan Basnet of the Division Forest Office, Inaruwa, stated that the investigation began after the suspects and the horn were handed over to the office.

Baiju Kumar Sah has been appointed as the investigating officer for the case. The item suspected to be a rhino horn has been sent to the National Forensic Science Laboratory in Khumaltar, Kathmandu, for testing.

He stated that legal proceedings will advance based on the test report. He believes the network involved is significant, noting that preliminary investigations suggest a large group is behind the smuggling of the horn.

The origin and intended destination of the horn remain under investigation. Division Forest Office Chief Shiva Narayan Mandal stated that the investigation against the arrested individuals will proceed under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029.