Timber smugglers hold sway in Sonitpur reserve forests ( Assam-INDIA )

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The Sentinel, Guwahati, 08 Aug 2005.

Link: http://www.sentinelassam.com/

 

Timber smugglers hold sway in Sonitpur reserve forests

 

From a Correspondent

MANGALDAI, Aug 7: The Railways has, of late, adopted some strict

measures to stop timber smuggling through passenger and goods trains

on Rangiya-Murkongchlek meter gauge section, courtesy strict

vigilance and action initiated by the Forest Department here to stop

the large-scale smuggling of timber from forest reserves of

Hugrajuli, Batasipur, Belsiri ,etc., areas under Sonitpur district.

 

However, the timber smugglers operating in the areas since long have

reportedly adopted new methods to continue their illegal trade

thereby causing large-scale deforestation.

 

This was evident from the seizure of a truck owned by an ex-Army

personnel on August 4 last.

 

On that day, acting on a tip off, Forest personnel led by Samsul

Haque and Bharat Deka, both foresters of Darrang Forest Division,

intercepted a truck No AS-13/8753 on NH 52 near Rowta Chariali in

Udalguri district of BTAD.

 

Though the truck was loaded with pumpkins and harvested paddy, much

to the surprise of the Forest personnel, 245 cft of class 1 shawn

timbers of market value of Rs 1 lakh was recovered from under the

pumpkins and paddy.

 

According to the confession statement of the owner-cum-driver of the

truck, Lakhi Daimari of Gelabeel near Orang, the illegal timber was

loaded at Gajengaguri near Hugrajuli reserve forest and was to be

dropped at Baihata Chariali in Kamrup district.

 

Meanwhile, the timber smugglers, on the evening of August 4,

threatened Forester Samsul Haque over telephone with dire

consequences. The matter was immediately informed to the Mangaldai

police.

 

It is worth mentioning here that the Forest department here has

seized a large number of vehicles owned by some powerful and

renowned figures for carrying smuggled timber.