Assam: Timbers worth of Rs 3.5 lakh seized in Chirang

Intensifying strict operations against deforestation and timber smuggling, forest department staff seized huge numbers of illegally smuggled timber at Birhangaon on June 29^th, 2020 evening in Chirang district in Assam.

In a joint operation team comprising NCIB, Chirang, and Basugaon forest staff with a protection squad led by Kunjan Basumatary, depot officer at Birhangaon (Barigara), a large number of illegally stored timbers have been seized which were smuggled by timber mafias. Seized timbers were later brought to Chirang forest division office at Kajalgaon. However, no one was arrested.

Market value of the seized timbers would be approximately INR 3.5 lakhs.

A few days ago, forest department seized seven illegally run sawmill and detected three dumpers in which sand mining illegally was carried in the district.

Forest officer Kunjan Basumatary told that the timbers were seized during the search operation. He informed that forest department and protection squad team have been taking stern measures against the deforestation and timber smuggling in the region.

Also read: Assam: Sal timber worth of Rs 5 lakh seized in Kokrajhar

The Forest department personnel and the protection squad seized a large number of Sal logs and sawn timbers amounting of Rs 5 lakh from two different places on June 22nd, 2020, evening at Athiabari area in Kokrajhar district in Assam

The Anti-Corruption & Crime Investigation Front, Bodoland environmental protection society and Forest staff from Eastern Range Athiabari carried out a joint operation at Lopongtopa village near Kaochi Bazar and were able to seize 10 pieces of valuable Sal logs which were smuggled by timber mafias from nearby deep forest areas under Kachugaon forest division in Kokrajhar district. Market value of the seized Sal logs would be approximately Rs. 2 lakh.

In another operation, the joint team seized two loaded vehicles carrying nearly 60 pieces of Sal sawn timbers at Nijilaguri forest village under eastern range Athiabari in Kokrajhar district. The smugglers were tried for smuggling the timbers when forest department staff detected and seized them. The seized timber’s market value of Rs. 3 lakhs approximately. The seized timbers have been brought to Athiabari forest office.

Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.