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GUWAHATI: The Kaziranga National Park authorities have sought additional security cover for the security personnel manning the protected area after a mob attacked forest officials following child-lifting rumours on June 6.

Just two days ago a mob attack based on similar rumours claimed the lives of Nilotpal Das and Abhijeet Nath at Karbi Anglong’s Dokmoka.

On June 6, KNP’s Bagori forest range officer Pankaj Bora and three other forest officials were attacked by villagers at Mandu Bey hamlet.

According to park officials, Bora and his team were on patrolling duty and on the lookout for poachers. Around 9pm, Bora’s team was attacked by villagers, who were shouting that the guards were child-lifters.

A KNP official said, “Rhinos take shelter on the Karbi Anglong highlands after floods and are vulnerable to poachers. If there is no additional security cover, it will be difficult to carry out our anti-poaching drives...”

