Four Absconding Rhino Horn Traffickers Arrested

Chitwan National Park (CNP) officials have arrested four rhino horn smugglers who were absconding.

They had smuggled the rhino horns at different times.

Those arrested are Ganesh Kumal, Chakka Jetha, Sonam Singh Waiba and Mukta Lal Pun Magar. CNP Information Officer, Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, said Kumal was arrested on January 6, 2024 from Bharatpur Metropolitan City-24 on the charge of rhino horn smuggling after killing the one-horned rhino at Bhusarghat on November 5, 2020.

Similarly, CNP nabbed Waiba from Ichchhakamana rural municipality-7 on January 9 this year for smuggling rhino horn after shooting rhino at Simalgaihari area on August 13, 2006.

He had been absconding since 17 years. Likewise, Jetha and Pun Magar were arrested from Rapti Municipality-11 on January 9.

They were charged of smuggling rhino-horn by killing it at Nandantal area on February 3, 2004.

The District Court, Chitwan, had slapped 15 years of imprisonment and Rs 100,000 fine against them.

Tiwari shared that all the arrestees have been sent to the District Court.