Kaziranga guards to be armed with AK-47s

TNN | Dec 4, 2012, 11.01 PM IST GUWAHATI: Forest guards of Kaziranga National Park will now be armed with AK-47 and AK-56 rifles to curb poaching at the park. The civil aviation ministry is also processing the licence to deploy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to monitor the park day and night. The guards, at present, are armed with antiques like 303 rifles while poachers have killed rhinos with AK-47s. State forest minister Rockybul Hussain said, "We have moved the home department for arming the forest guards in Kaziranga with AK-47 and AK-56 rifles which will be done very soon." Hussain added that the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on Tuesday released Rs 1 crore for repair work in the park and another Rs 5 crore for infrastructure development. "Next month the NTCA, the state government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council will discuss and chalk out a full proof strategy to combat poachers," Hussain added. The park borders the autonomous hill district and poachers have been found to come from the district. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Kaziranga-guards-to-be-armed-with-AK-47s/articleshow/17482996.cms