DIPAYAL: As many as six persons have been arrested in connection to their alleged involvement in the smuggling of rhino horns, from Ghodaghodi Municipality-6 of Kailali district on Sunday.

A police team deployed from the Kailali District Police Office and the Far-Western Regional Investigation Team nabbed the suspects after a tip-off from Wild Animals Protection Society of India about smuggling of horns of the protected animal.

Krishna Chaudhary of Kottulsipur VDC-1 in Kailali district was arrested from Tanakpur, Ghodaghodi Municipality along with the 19 inch long horn which had the perimeter of 13 inch.

According to DSP Dilip Singh Bhandari, other suspects have been identified as; Ram Bahadur Chaudhary (36) of Bauniya VDC-8 in Kailali district; Dhan Raj Budha of Raskot VDC-3 in Kalikot district; Dambar Bahadur Chaudhary (30) of Pratappur VDC-4 in Kailali district; Nayan Bahadur Chaudhary of Kottulsipur VDC-1 in Kailali district and Rabindra Bahadur Shahi of Kalika VDC-9 in Kalikot district.

Police said the suspects have been handed over to the District Forests Office for further investigation and action.

They will be charged according to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973, added police.