According to the park authorities, Jeevan Tharu of Mohanpur in Shivapur Village Development Committee (VDC) was killed and soldier Dal Bahadur Tharu nabbed after the joint patrol team of Nepal Army and the park´s patrol team exchanged fire with the poachers near the Gerua river at around 10 pm. [break]
The park authorities informed that Chaudhary, a lance corporal of Raj Dal Battalion posted in Surkhet, is currently under detention of the park administration at Thakurdwara.
Assistant Conservation Officer Ramesh Thapa said the joint patrol team retaliated after the poachers opened fire in Baghoura Phaanta. “One of the poachers was fatally hit after we fired just two shots,” Thapa said. The patrol team suffered no casualty during the exchange and the rest of the poachers managed to flee. The patrol team found a noose designed to capture rhino and three khukuris from the spot.
Thapa said details about the poachers would come out after the interrogation of the nabbed soldier. Meanwhile, locals have claimed that soldiers of Nepal Army, who are familiar with the animals and geography of the parks, are involved in poaching. A conservationist claimed low rank army personnel are lured into poaching.
There are 18 Nepal Army posts for the security of the park with proposals for additional posts at Puranpur, Thuloshree, Dhanushe, Gainekanda, Khayarbhatti, Baspani and Gola waiting approval.
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