SSB crackdown on timber smugglers in Kokrajhar and Chirang

From our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, March 10: The 16th Bn. SSB stationed at Ranighuli in Kokrajhar district and Forest Range Office, Runikhata in Chirang district carried out a joint search operation led by the Commandant of the 16th Bn.SSB, Ranighuli and accompanied by DFO, Chirang on Monday and seized one diesel saw machine along with wooden logs from village Balajhar and also apprehended four persons, seizing another diesel saw machine and 310 timber logs from village Bathabari under Runikhata police station in Chirang district.

The Assistant Publicity Officer of the 16 Bn SSB informed that the seized items along with apprehended persons had been handed over to Forest Range Office at Runikhata. The evaluation of the seized items is under process.

In another operation carried out on Tuesday morning on the basis of inputs from BOP Dongsiapara of 15th Bn., SSB stationed at Kajalgaon in Chirang district apprehended one timber smuggler, identified as Md. Sofian Mandal (26) under Bijni PS in Chirang and seized 33 wooden logs loaded on 16 hand carts.  The smuggler along with seized items was handed over to Forest Range Office Kuklung in Chirang district. The seized items were valued at around Rs. 10, 60,480. The SSB has been actively carrying out operation against timber smugglers along with counter insurgency operations for the greater interest of conservation of forest and tural resources.