A team of Chitwan National Park (CNP) arrested a person involved in rhino poaching on Friday. The person identified as Durga Rana Magar of Koluwa-3, Nawalparasi is a notorious kingpin involved in rhino poaching and smuggling of rhino horn.

Seven years ago, the CNP team had arrested Magar’s accomplice Khadak Bahadur Mahat along with poaching instruments like gun, bullets, among others. He was caught red handed while trying to escape with rhino horn after killing it. Magar, however, became successful in escaping the arrest.

Following the arrest, the district court slapped Mahat a prison sentence of 15 years and Rs 100,000 in fine in 2012 as per the National Parks and Wildlife Protection Act. He is serving the jail term currently.

During the CNP’s investigation, it was revealed that Magar was the mastermind behind the rhino poaching. CNP chief conservation officer Ram Chandra Kandel informed about the successful arrest of Magar that that took place after seven years. “We have mobilised a special team in search and arrest operation of people accused of wildlife poaching and smuggling. Most of the absconding criminals will be arrested,” said Kandel.

Magar had been living abroad after Mahat’s arrest. He returned Nepal recently. Acting on a tipoff, a joint team of CNP and Nepal Army arrested Magar after encircling the village.

CNP officer Kandel informed that 100 culprits charged with rhino poaching have been absconding till the date.