According to Narendra Man Babu Pradhan, conservation officer of the park, they had evidences that the 12 were involved in killing the rhinos for their horns.
Chandra Bahadur Shrestha of Tiruwagaun´s in Lothar VDC-2 was arrested on September 10 from Ghatgaai region of the park. Similarly, Komal Bahadur Praja, Ashish Praja, Man Singh Praja of Koraak and Krishna Bahadur Praja of Sarikhet-3 in Makawanpur were arrested on September 14.
Bhim Bahadur Kumal of Belahani-8 in Nawalparasi and Khadga Narayan Mahato of Kolhuwa-3 were arrested on September 18 and Bhojbir Rana Magar of Shivamandir-8, Mukti Prasad Gurau and Hiralal Mardaniya of Kawasoti 9, and Ambar Bahadur Gurau and Bishnu Prasad Gurau of Pithyauli were arrested along with weapons on September 19. Among them, Bhim Bahadur, Khadga Narayan, Bhojbir and Ambar Bahadur had been arrested in the past too. Police seized several weapons, a motorbike and Rs 156,000 from them.
According to officials 15 one-horned rhinos of the 408 rhinos as per the latest census in the park were killed by poachers. Seven more have died a natural death. Meanwhile, the park has been formulating new conservation strategy to curb increasing rhino poaching. Similarly, Nepal Army personnel, who are deployed for the park security have expanded the horizon of their patrol.
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