STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The recent seizure of a truck loaded with timber at Jorabat by the Guwahati Police has proved too costly for a number of State forest officers who have been allegedly involved in timber smuggling from Meghalaya. The police have been grilling higher level forest officers, including DFO and ACF, in the timber smuggling case.
Smuggled timber from Meghalaya glutting the market in Guwahati is not new. Meghalaya timbers, according police sources, come from small timber depots at some spots along the Assam-Meghalaya border like Byrnihat, Jorabat, 12 Mile etc. The depots get supply of timber from elsewhere in the neighbouring State.
The modus operandi being followed in the smuggling of timber from the neighbouring State is carrying the consignments in smaller trucks like DI, Tata Mobile etc instead of bigger ones.
The recent seizure of a timber-loaded truck at Jorabat led to the registration of a case (771/20) at Basistha Police Station. As of now, Guwahati East DFO Rajib Baruah, ACF Mrigen Baruah, Guwahati Sadar Ranger Pankaj Kalita and many others have already been grilled by the police. Police sources said that many other forest officials are set to be grilled in connection with the timber smuggling case.
Also watch: Another 1050 Bedded Quarantine Centre Ready in Guwahati