Assam: 8 People Detained in Connection With the Death of a Forest Official

GUWAHATI: Following an incident over timber smuggling in Goalpara, Assam, up to eight people were detained on Wednesday in connection with the killing of a forest department inspector.

This comes after a skirmish on Tuesday over suspected timber smuggling resulted in the death of a forest department official and the critical injuries of three other people.

The individuals detained today were Bhadreswar Rabha, Mohen Rabha, Dulal Rabha, Suraj Rabha, Prahlad Rabha, Ananda Rabha, Prafulla Rabha, and Rajni Rabha.

They are currently being held at Dudhnoi Police Station in the state's Goalpara district.

It should be noted that the brawl is said to have started at Krishnai Salpara Darapara in Goalpara after the forest department launched an operation there against specific inputs of illegal timber smuggling. At that location, a group of suspected timber smugglers attacked the team with sharp weapons.

Sources claim that several local residents of the area were also implicated in the assault, which happened after the investigation team had seized a tractor and a cache of lumber intended for covert export on Monday night.

According to authorities, the smugglers robbed the team of officials, taking their mobile phone and two gold rings.

Rajbir Ahmed has been recognised as the deceased forest department employee. Mobinur Rahman, Najrul Islam, and Mustafa Ali are the three officers who have suffered injuries. They were transported for immediate medical care, and the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) is where they are being treated.

Rajbir Ahmed was taken to the Solace Hospital in Goalpara after being injured and being rescued by the police. His location was changed to the Excel Care Hospital in Guwahati, where he received intensive medical care before being pronounced dead.

The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) described what happened as follows: "A very tragic incident has occurred. Hope the police will conduct a thorough investigation. Our staff has been attacked by sharp weapons. They have been attacked by machetes and also with bamboo. I have been told that a group of people had surrounded the forest officers. The driver and one of our officers named Mobinur Rahman have been targeted. Till now, the police have not arrested any person in connection to the case. However, their efforts in saving the lives of the staff have been recommendable. They have taken action at the right time. I would like to thank the police for this."

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