Illegal Timber Cutting Centres Busted in Assam's Barpeta District, Sal Wood Seized

A CORRESPONDENT

BARPETA: The police of Barpeta and forest department, in a joint operation led by Chandan Bezbaruah, Circle Officer-cum-Executive Magistrate, Sarthebari revenue circle on Monday, busted a number of illegal timber cutting centres in the villages of Kalgachiya revenue circle.

The team seized Sal wood (worth Rs 1.5 lakh), wood cutting saw, tubewell, pumpset, electric generator along with chain saws, from the house of one Sahjahan Ali at Sikartari village, Kalgachiya.

Earlier, Singra and Bamunigaon Forest Range seized five trucks of wood logs and timber from Rajapara- Mojabaibari road in Chaygaon LAC under Kamrup west Division Forest office. A forest team led by Singra Forest Ranger Abdur Rauf Ahmed reached the spot and seized 29 pieces of wood logs and 17 pieces of timber from the roadside.

Ranger Abdur Rauf Ahmed said that the market value of the seized logs was more than Rs 50,000. On the other hand, some smugglers again allegedly threatened villagers of Rajapara village after the forest department seized wood logs and timber.

Meanwhile, MLA of Chaygaon LAC, Rekibuddin Ahmed said that the government would completely stop deforestation and sand smuggling in the South Kamrup area. He also added that the present government had started a discussion on the matter with the respective department.

Also Read: Timber Smuggling Continues, Assam Forest Department Fails to Check it: Rajapara Villagers