AAMSU urges Forest Minister to crack down on forest mafia

From a Correspondent

GOLAGHAT (Dhekial), Feb 16: Illegal quarrying of sand and soil from river banks in Golaghat district is not a new phenomenon. There is no river which is not within the claws of sand and stone mafias, alleged the All Assam Minorities Students’ Union (AAMSU) Golaghat district committee on Thursday by submitting a memorandum to the Forest Minister of Assam through the Deputy Commissioner, Golaghat, demanding to stop illegal quarrying in various river banks in Golaghat. 

The AAMSU president and secretary Kadir Ali and Ishad Hussain, Anisur Jaman respectively said that a section of forest officials and forest mafia were allegedly involved in massive destruction of forest resources and river mines in the Golaghat. The forest mafias have been allegedly running an illegal business by destruction of river resources. The AAMSU Golaghat also alleged that there were 16 sand and stone mahals in Golaghat district under the Forest Department. But out of 16 mahals, 14 mahals are running illegally under the supervision of a section of dishonest forest officials.

In Golaghat district, various places like Murphulani, Bokial, Sophela, harchola, Kaighat, Bandarghat and Bogamati illegal carrying of river resources in trucks is going on regularly. Interestingly, in Dhansiri River near the Golaghat Range Office, illegal destruction of river resources is allegedly going on by using JCB, dumper and trucks. In this regard, a complaint was lodged at the office of the Deputy Commissioner and Divisiol Forest Office. But they allegedly did not pay attention to the matter.

Since the year 2000, people living near the Dhansiri River lost their agriculture lands and property due to continuous erosion of the river embankment. Besides, they face new threat to their lives due to illegal destruction of river resources which is diverting the tural movement of the river.

The AAMSU appealed to the State Forest Minister, Pramila Rani Brahma to take action against the forest mafia and to stop illegal destruction of river resources.