Illegal transportation of boulders in forest areas

From a Correspondent

TEZPUR, Nov 14: At a time when the State Forest Minister is striving to protect the forests from the orifice of devastation, illicit importation of boulders worth several lakhs by fake challan is going on in full scale through meri tiol Park under the active supervision of some fraudulent forest officials in Sonitpur district. The illegal manoeuvre in the forest region had come to light when the Chariduar Police intercepted and grabbed hold of the two-fully laden boulder dumpers following an operation drive headed by Satish Chandra Sahu, OC of Chariduar Police Station recently here at Chariduar-Balipara area under Chariduar Police Station in Sonitpur district.

 According to sources, various activities are being carried out despite enforcing stringent law. Chariduar Police during the course of an operation intercepted two dumpers bearing No.AR-02-8219 and AR-02-5761 loaded with boulders from Bhalukpung and examining the challan, it was found that there were some irregularities in the challan that was issued by the Aruchal Forest Department, like the date was written as November 9 in place of November 8.

 Local people alleged that large-scale smuggling was being carried out in the forest region and around 20-30 trucks and dumpers carry massive boulders illegally in the midst of Bhalukpung and Chariduar Reserve Forest Office. The Forest Department has been informed on several occasions of the illegal transportation going on but no effective measures have been employed to restrict the illegal trade, local people alleged.

In the meantime, Padma Hazarika, MLA of Sootia LAC in Sonitpur district, urged for the intervention of the Prime Minister against the massive illegal transportation of boulders in the Bhalukpoung and meri routes.