[Assam] Citizen’s Meet on Rhino Poaching

[Nava Thakuria]

Dear friend/editors,
Here is a statement for your information and use.
Regards,
Nava Thakuria
(m) 99549 73321

Citizen’s Meet on Rhino Poaching 
 
Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum, Assam (JFA) has organized a Citizen’s Meet on June 19 (Saturday) to discuss about the ongoing poaching of endangered one horn rhinoceros in Assam. The meeting will begin at 3 pm in Guwahati Press Club auditorium. 
It may be mentioned that three years back the JFA along with All Assam Students’ Union and Nature’s Beckon had demanded rigorously for a high level (preferably by Central Bureau of Investigation) enquiry to probe the issue of rhino poaching in various reserves of Assam. Facing the hit of public resentment, the State forest minister Rockybul Hussain made a public announcement that he was ready to go for a CBI enquiry in to the matter. But till today, the government has not asked for the enquiry. 
Moreover, the JFA made a representation in the recently held public consultation in Guwahati, where the Union minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh was present, advocating for the same. The JFA also supported the apprehension raised by the Nature’s Beckon director Soumyadeep Datta in the same meeting that the burning of over 1000 rhino horns by Assam forest department without a transparent forensic probe  would only help some corrupt officials to smuggle some real horns in to the illegal international market. He strongly pointed out that those corrupt forest officials used to sell rhino horns in the international market even after India adopted Wildlife Protection Act 1972. 
The Saturday meeting is expected to discuss both the issues elaborately and resolve decisions accordingly. Every one concerned with the issue is requested to participate in the meeting.


Rupam Barua,
President,
Nava Thakuria,
Secretary,
Journalists’ Forum, Assam
Guwahati