Raimona National Park: 2 poachers, absconding offender held in Assam ops
Synopsis
Forest personnel at Raimona National Park, working with the SSB, arrested two alleged poachers after a 20-day intelligence operation — and separately nabbed an accused who had been absconding since a spotted deer killing in July 2024. The twin operations expose an active poaching network in one of Assam's most sensitive wildlife corridors.
Key Takeaways
Sukur Mushahary (35) and Parbeswar Narzary (38) were arrested by a joint Forest Department–SSB team in the Central Range of Raimona National Park on suspicion of hunting endangered wildlife.
The operation was triggered by intelligence gathered 20 to 21 days earlier about five to six unidentified persons moving inside the park.
Ramal Goyary of Kachugaon, Kokrajhar , was caught during routine patrolling and found to be an absconding accused in a wildlife case registered on 15 July 2024 .
Goyary had allegedly entered the park's core area for illegal fishing; his associates fled into the forest.
The Forest Department has warned of stringent legal action against poaching, illegal fishing, or unauthorised entry into protected areas.
Two suspected poachers and a previously absconding wildlife offender were arrested in two separate anti-poaching operations conducted by forest personnel at Raimona National Park (RNP) in Assam's Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) region, officials confirmed on Sunday, 13 July 2025. The arrests mark a significant enforcement milestone for one of northeastern India's most ecologically sensitive protected areas.
Operation Details: Two Suspects Nabbed in Joint Forest-SSB Drive
The Central Range of Raimona National Park launched an intensive anti-poaching operation after receiving credible intelligence — gathered roughly 20 to 21 days prior — about the movement of five to six unidentified individuals conducting suspicious activities inside the park. Forest Department officials initiated a detailed investigation and intensified surveillance across vulnerable forest zones.
The operation was executed jointly with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) following sustained monitoring, intelligence collation, and coordinated planning. It resulted in the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in the illegal hunting of endangered wildlife species.
The arrested persons were identified as Sukur Mushahary (35) and Parbeswar Narzary (38), both residents under the jurisdiction of Kachugaon Police Station. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Addl PCCF) and Council Head of Department (CHD), BTC, Sonali Ghosh, said preliminary investigations indicate the two were allegedly targeting endangered wildlife species in the ecologically sensitive landscape of the national park. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected poaching network.
Absconding Accused Caught During Routine Patrol
In a separate incident, the Janagaon Beat Team of the Sanfan Range of Raimona National Park apprehended one Ramal Goyary, a resident of Kachugaon in Kokrajhar district, during routine patrolling. According to Ghosh, Goyary had allegedly entered the core area of the national park with others for the purpose of fishing — an activity strictly prohibited inside protected areas.
During interrogation, it emerged that Goyary was a listed absconding accused in a wildlife offence case registered on 15 July 2024, connected to the alleged illegal hunting of a spotted deer inside the park. The other individuals accompanying him managed to flee into the forest before they could be apprehended. Efforts are ongoing to trace and identify those suspects.
About Raimona and the BTC's Conservation Role
Raimona National Park falls under the jurisdiction of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), an autonomous administrative body constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to govern the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in western Assam. The BTR — comprising the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri — shares international borders with Bhutan and a state border with West Bengal, making it a critical wildlife corridor.
Forest Department's Warning
The Forest Department reiterated its commitment to protecting the rich biodiversity of Raimona National Park, warning that stringent legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in poaching, illegal fishing, or unauthorised entry into protected forest areas. The back-to-back arrests signal an intensified enforcement posture as the park administration moves to dismantle what officials describe as an active poaching network in the region.
Point of View
But the harder story is what they reveal: an active, multi-member poaching network operating inside a nationally protected area that borders Bhutan. The fact that intelligence was gathered 20 days before action was taken — and that several suspects still fled — points to the chronic resource and manpower constraints facing forest departments in remote BTC areas. Raimona was declared a national park only in 2021; robust enforcement infrastructure has not kept pace with that upgraded status. The Forest Department's warning of 'stringent action' will only carry weight if the absconding network members are actually traced and prosecuted.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were arrested in the Raimona National Park anti-poaching operation?
Three individuals were arrested in two separate operations. Sukur Mushahary (35) and Parbeswar Narzary (38), both from the Kachugaon Police Station jurisdiction, were held for allegedly hunting endangered wildlife. Separately, Ramal Goyary of Kachugaon, Kokrajhar, was caught during routine patrolling and identified as an absconding accused in a 2024 wildlife offence case.
What triggered the anti-poaching operation at Raimona National Park?
The Central Range operation was launched after credible intelligence was received approximately 20 to 21 days earlier about five to six unidentified persons conducting suspicious activities inside the park. The Forest Department then conducted surveillance and coordinated with the SSB before executing the joint operation.
What was Ramal Goyary accused of?
Ramal Goyary was found to be an absconding accused in a wildlife offence case registered on 15 July 2024, linked to the alleged illegal hunting of a spotted deer inside Raimona National Park. He was apprehended during routine patrolling when he allegedly entered the core area for illegal fishing.
Where is Raimona National Park and who administers it?
Raimona National Park is located in western Assam and falls under the jurisdiction of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), an autonomous body constituted under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The BTR region — covering Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri districts — shares borders with Bhutan and West Bengal.
Are more arrests expected in the Raimona poaching case?
Yes. According to senior forest officials, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected poaching network. Associates of Ramal Goyary who fled into the forest during his arrest are also being traced.
