Nepal authorities arrest a dozen persons for rhino poaching

Chitwan National Park (CNP) has arrested a dozen persons with arms in connection with recent incidents of rhino poaching in a span of two weeks from various places in Chitwan, Makwanpur and Nawalparasi, reports say.

The arrested are kept at the detention centre in CNP headquarters, Kasara, for investigation, according to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

Among those arrested, Hira Lal Mardaniya, 22, and Mukti Prasad Gurau, both residents of Kawasoti, Nawalparasi have confessed they were involved in the killing of rhinos found dead on September 18 and 14. They were arrested on September 18.

Three rhinos were found dead in and around CNP recently.

The other arrested include Ashish Praja, 18, Man Singh Praja, 90, Kamal Bahadur Praja, 40, and Krishna Bahadur Praja, 18, arrested on September 5; Amar Bahadur Gurau, 55, Bhoj Bir Rana Magar, 70, Bishnu Prasad Gurau, 36, arrested on September 20 and Chandra Bahadur Shrestha, 48, Bhim Bahadur Kumal, 45, and Khadag Narayan Mahato, 50.

Various kind weapons, some cash and two motorcycles were also confiscated from the residents of the arrested.

Most of them have confessed their involvement in rhino poaching, said Shiva Raj Bhatta of the department. There is a possibility of busting a larger group, he added.