In a major development in the fight against wildlife crime in Assam, a team from Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve has arrested a fugitive allegedly linked to the illegal trade of Royal Bengal Tiger body parts. The arrest comes after months of tracking and intelligence-based operations by forest officials. According to officials, the operation was carried out jointly by the Eastern Range, Gamiri, and the Crime Investigation Range based in Biswanath Chariali. Acting on specific inputs, the team managed to apprehend Ratnakanta Pegu (41), a resident of Aathaishsharia village in Biswanath district. He had been absconding since November 2025 in connection with a registered wildlife offence case.Authorities said the case, identified as ER/02-2025, is related to the illegal trafficking of body parts of the Royal Bengal Tiger, a protected species under Indian wildlife laws.
The arrest is being seen as an important step in ongoing efforts to break organised wildlife crime networks operating in and around protected forest areas. Officials further revealed that the accused is not new to such activities. He was earlier suspected to be involved in multiple rhino poaching cases reported between 2019 and 2024. This history has raised concerns among forest authorities about repeated involvement in wildlife crimes in the region. Sources in the forest department said that the arrest was the result of continuous surveillance and coordination between different units. The team had been monitoring movements and gathering information for several months before finally locating and arresting the accused.
While no official details were immediately shared about the materials seized during the operation, officials confirmed that relevant evidence has been collected to support the case. They added that further investigation is currently underway to identify possible links to a larger trafficking network. Kaziranga National Park, known for its rich biodiversity and strong conservation efforts, has been facing threats from poaching and illegal wildlife trade for years. However, recent actions by forest officials indicate a more focused push to tackle such crimes through intelligence-based operations.