NEW DELHI: In a move praised by animal rights advocates, India's environmental agency said it would look into investigating the killing of rhinos in Assam. The CBI has taken up investigation into the spate of killings of rhinos in Assam, state Environment and Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said on Sunday. Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has sent a communication in this regard to the state government, Hussain told media. However, details of the number of cases taken up by the CBI and the time-frame for the investigation was yet to be known. “We are awaiting further details. But we welcome the Centre's initiative,” Hussain said. “We had suggested that the CBI take up all cases up to three to five years old. However, as per their (CBI) proforma they take up investigation based on cases and FIRs filed,” he said. The minister said he had written to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on September 27, 2012, for a CBI inquiry into the killings of rhinos and it was forwarded to the chief secretary the same day. The state home department had then contacted the union government in this regard. Activists told Bikyanews.com that while they believe the government should have moved faster in this regard, it is “better late than never.” “We are at least pleased that the government is moving forward on this issue and hopefully will be able to identify the culprits and begin to make arrests and bring to justice those responsible for the slaughter of animal life in India,” said Vishal Guthrapali, an eco-activist based in Darjeeling. “The future of our wildlife must be protected,” he added. BN
