CMSS demands strict action against forest mafia

MARGHERITA, Oct 9: The Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity (CMSS) Tinsukia District Committee on Monday staged a press meet at Tinsukia Sahitya Sabha Bhavan regarding destruction of forest resources of Digboi Forest Division under the nose of Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma, Digboi Forest Division Divisiol Forest officer Bipul Bora and Jagun Forest Range officer Podium Borpatragohain.

Lakhya Jyoti Gogoi and Pappu Dutta, both president and general secretary of CMSS Tinsukia District Committee said that Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal had assured zero tolerance to corruption in  Assam but State Forest Minister Pramila Rani Brahma was directly involved in the destruction of forest resources under Digboi Forest Division.

Lakhya Jyoti Gogoi said that the forest mafia had chopped precious trees such as Holung, Mecai, Bonboguri, Hollock and Chapa at Tinkupani Reserve, Guldubi Chakradubi, Paharpur, Donola, Sanjuwada, Lakhijan, Maikighat and Lakhipather under Digboi Forest Division. The timber is supplied to timber factories of Aruchal Pradesh.

Gogoi said that Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma, Digboi Forest Division DFO Bipul Bora and Jagun Range Forest officer Podum Borpatragohain got huge commission from the forest mafia. “Assam Government is also losing revenue as all the precious timber are supplied to timber factories in Aruchal Pradesh. We demand that a high-level enquiry should be conducted regarding the destruction of forest resources under Digboi Forest Division and those who are involved should be immediately arrested and strict punishment should be given to them,” said Lakhya Jyoti Gogoi. A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister through the Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner.