Chitwan, October 7:

Two persons have been arrested for poaching and smuggling rhino horns by Chitwan National Park officials.

Two weeks ago, the Chitwan National Parki officials arrested Rana Bahadur Kumal of Meghauli-3 and Hom Bahadur Lama of Tamaspur from the house of Santa Kumal

in possesion of several live bullets, explosives and a motorcycle.

“The two were also arrested on similar charges earlier,” protection officer at CNP Megh Bahadur Pandey said.

Earlier, Lama was sentenced to 15-year jail but the Heatuda Appellate Court gave him a clean chit in 2004, while Rana Bahadur walked out of the jail after completing his punishment in June 2006, assistant protection officer Ananath Baral said.

The motorcycle seized from Santa Kumal’s house was seized earlier as well, he said.

Santa Kumal has been absconding and his wife was detained for interrogation, the national park officials said.