The Chitwan District Court has slapped seven years jail sentence to an Indian national after he was convicted of poaching a rhino in Chitwan National Park (CNP).

The single bench of Judge Rajendra Adhikari on Tuesday handed down the verdict against 40-year-old Chhathu Mahato, a resident of West Champaran district of Indian state of Bihar. The court also slapped Rs 500,000 fine to Rama Mahato of Maid for aiding and abetting in the crime.

According to the CNP officials, Chhathu was arrested along with six others near Saili Maili Post of the park few months ago. The six accused were later released as their involvement in the rhino poaching incident could not be established.

The CNP then filed a case against Chhathu on August 5 after he admitted to poaching a one-horn rhino inside the park.

Chhathu admitted that he had killed the rhino in the Kanaha stream near Tribeni in the western part of the CNP and sold its horn to a man in Butwal.

However, Rama denied his involvement in the poaching. Information officer at the court Keshav Paudel said Rama was fined as Chhathu mentioned him as his accomplice.

“There is no evidence of Rama’s involvement in the poaching. We are preparing to appeal his case before the High Court,” said defence lawyer Nanda Lal Mahato.

Madi people protest against wildlife attacks

CHITWAN: The people of Madi, Chitwan, staged a demonstration on Thursday, demanding the authorities to capture the elephant that killed two women in the area on Wednesday. They complained that wild elephants and other animals from Chitwan National Park have been wreaking havoc in their settlements for a long time, but the authorities are indifferent on the matter. On Wednesday, two local women were killed by a wild elephant in Riukhola area. The locals have demanded the authorities to provide additional relief to the bereaved families besides Rs 1 million that the national park has pledged. (PR)