Our Correspondent
TINSUKIA: Despite strict vigilance, smuggling of khair wood (Acacia catechu), commonly known as kattha, goes unabated through Sadiya in Tinsukia district. While the timber mafia has changed the modus operandi from land to riverine route to transport logs felled in Arunachal Pradesh, the intricate channels of mighty Brahmaputra and Lohit have created biggest challenges for forest and police personnel. Surging water of rivers and rivulets following incessant rain are added additional advantage for ferryboats to maneuver in downstream.
Following the disappearance of seized khair-laden ferry boat valued at several lakhs of rupees on Sunday, fingers are being pointed towards a section of corrupt forest officials. It is firmly believed that such an unlawful act was impossible unless the timber mafia allegedly acted at the behest of local political leaders from both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Action initiated by newly-appointed upright Ranger, Bibit Dihingia against timber mafia was not taken kindly even by his own staff.
According to reports, the khair timber smugglers of Arunachal Pradesh are making frantic efforts to transport stacked logs lying nearly for a month in the river bank of Lohit, particularly near Alubari after police and forest personnel of Assam blocked all highways leading to Tinsukia district a fortnight back. On Sunday, a joint police team of Na-Sadiya police OP and forest personnel led by ranger Bibit Dihingia seized a ferry boat loaded with khair logs valued at around Rs 3 lakh at Bochagaon Chapuri (highland) near Lohit River. Owned allegedly by one Rafizul Ali, the logs, reportedly transported from Arunachal Pradesh earlier, were stored in the chapuri. According to eye witnesses, some miscreants dislodged the rope of the seized boat when Bibit Dihingia was searching for a tractor to transport other logs stored in the chapuri to Chapakhowa. Despite searches in nearby areas, the boat could not be located. It is suspected that either the boat was sailed upstream via Lohit River to Arunachal Pradesh or floated downstream to Brahmaputra River. Whatever the case, what has intrigued many was how a boat could disappear right in front of police and forest staff who were purportedly guarding the logs.
While Dangori Regional Students’ Union (AASU) demanded a high-level inquiry into illegal khair trade, including disappearance of boat, several organizations and environmental groups have appreciated efforts of Bibit Dihingia in containing the timber menace against all odds.