Poacher Nabbed After Gunfight in Assam-Arunachal Border's Tinkupani Reserve

In a major anti-poaching operation, the Jagun Forest Division in Tinsukia district on Monday apprehended a poacher from the Tinkupani Reserve Forest, located along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. 

According to official sources, a regular forest patrol team led by Jagun Forest Officer Pramod Phukan entered the reserve forest in the early hours of the day. While patrolling through the dense middle zone of the forest near Nimakh Pung, the team spotted four suspected poachers. Upon noticing the patrol team, the poachers opened fire on the forest officials.

The forest guards retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire. Eventually, the forest team managed to apprehend one of the poachers, while the remaining three escaped under the cover of the forest, reportedly carrying their weapons with them.

The arrested poacher has been identified as Nazuke Chakma (50), a resident of Bishnupur under Bordumsa Police Station in Arunachal Pradesh. Preliminary investigations have revealed that one of the other absconding poachers hails from a village under the jurisdiction of the Jagun Police Outpost in Assam.

The Tingkupani Reserve Forest, under the jurisdiction of the Jagun Forest Range Office in the Digboi Forest Division, is ecologically sensitive and known for its rich wildlife. The Nimakh Pung area, in particular, is frequented by various wild animals and birds due to the natural salt deposits found there. This has made the region a repeated target for poachers, who sneak into the forest to hunt illegally.

Forest authorities have intensified vigilance and are continuing search operations in and around the area to nab the absconding culprits. The arrested individual is being interrogated for further leads.

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