Illegal timber racket thriving in Dibrugarh district

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: Rampant timber smuggling through the river Brahmaputra is going on unabated in Dibrugarh.

Sources said the timber smugglers are using rafts to bring logs from the Dibru-Saikhowa area.

"All the illegal logs come through the Biju ghat area of Maijan in Dibrugarh. The timber smugglers are running the whole nexus in an organized way by managing everyone. The forest officials are also involved in the nexus with timber smugglers," said a source.

Sources said that the logs which come in Biju ghat through rafts are taken to the mills in Maijan for cutting.

When this correspondent went for an investigation to the Biju ghat area of Maijan, it was found that the timber smugglers camouflage all the logs on the river bed by using ropes. Many rafts were found floating on the river and it was evident that the illegal timber racket is thriving in the area.

"Everyday timber smugglers cut trees in the Dibru-Saikhowa region and the logs are brought through the river route by making rafts. Many illegal saw mills are functioning in the Rohmoria area of Dibrugarh and the logs are cut into pieces within minutes. Everyone is involved in this illegal nexus and operating the business," said a source.

It was also learnt that many logs are also coming from the Arunachal Pradesh side. Recently, the Dibrugarh forest department seized a truck laden with timber at the Panchali Ghat area in Dibrugarh. Altogether 26 round logs were seized by Dibrugarh Range with assistance from Dibrugarh police. The miscreants tried to bring the logs to make a raft to float on the river Brahmaputra.

"If the forest department acts properly then they can stop the illegal timber racket, but they don't bother to take steps against the timber smugglers. If properly investigated by the forest department, many names associated with the illegal timber business will emerge," said a source.

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