Assam: Timber smuggler shot dead in Jharbari; agitated villagers stage protest

KOKRAJHAR: Sensation prevailed in the Jharbari area following the alleged killing of a timber smuggler by forest officials in the wee hours of Sunday between Jharbari and Digli area under Serfanguri police station. MLA Lawrence Islary expressed concern over the incident while the District Magistrate has ordered magisterial inquiry into the incident and Jituraj Gogoi, subdivisional magistrate of Kokrajhar, has been asked to inquire into the incident.

According to sources, the Forest Range Office located at Jharbari said that based on information about smuggling of illegal timber logs from the jungle, a group of forest personnel from the range office chased the timber smugglers at around 3 am. The timber smugglers fled away leaving their timber-laden bicycles and one Hemanta Narzary of Gianipur village of Jharbari area died on the spot when the forest officials fired at him. He received bullet injury on the head.

A large number of agitated villagers of Gianipur and adjacent villages on Sunday morning came to the spot and protested against the killing of poor people. They demanded strong punishment for the forest officials who were involved in the killing of Hemanta Narzary, the father of two girls. Talking to reporters, the family members alleged that Hemanta was caught and shot at from point blank range by two forest officials. They said Hemanta was the sole bread earner of the poor family and there is no one to look after his two children and wife. They demanded severe punishment for the killers and justice for victim.

Gaonbura of Gianipur village said Hemanta Narzary was shot dead after being caught by forest officials. He said the forest department could have arrested Hemanta Narzary and sent to jail but killing was not justified for smuggling timber logs from the jungle. He alleged that the forest officials were hands-in-glove with the timber smugglers and they collected money from every individual who enters the forest. Most of the local villagers alleged that the forest officials collect money ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 500 per bicycle from smugglers while other personnel of the same department will chase the smugglers if they do not get a share of the collected amount.

Meanwhile, sources from Jharbari Range office said that 5-6 forest protection staff who were in the office, were compelled to run away by jumping off the boundary wall fearing the irate villagers who moved to the Range office to vandalize the office. The situation worsened after arrival of additional police and other security personnel. The fleeing officials took shelter in a forest village. It is also learnt that the Range Officer of Jharbari Bibekananda Pathak was informed about the smuggling of timber logs from the jungle by his staff and two rifles were given to officials who looked out for the smugglers at around 2.30 am to 3 am.

Visiting the house of victim Hemanta Narzary, Kokrajhar MLA Lawrence Islary said the killing incident was unfortunate and said he had talked to CEM of BTC, Pramod Boro about the incident who assured to inquire into the incident. He also said that there were many allegations that forest officials take money from every passing bicycle loaded with timber logs and then no action is taken against the smugglers. But when some of them refuse to share money, action is taken against them. He also said everything will come to light after the inquiry report is out.

On the other hand, the CEM of BTC, Pramod Boro expressed sorrow over the incident and said he had asked the district administration to institute an inquiry into the incident. He said he had instructed the department of forest to engage or give livelihood opportunities to the family members in the department and to also give compensation. He further said the forest department will take the responsibility for the education of the deceased’s two children.

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