Timber-laden truck handed over to Digboi DFO, organizations smell rat

DIGBOI, Dec 18: A 12-wheeler truck laden with timber was brought under the custody of Digboi Forest after it was handed over by Digboi Police recently in Digboi for hitting a private vehicle owned by ndan Gogoi, at Borbil under Digboi Station.

Around 361 pieces of timber was being brought from Jong Wood Product at Kharsang in Changlang district of Aruchal Pradesh when the vehicle bearing registration number AS 01GC-9744 met with an accident at Digboi Borbil No 1. The forest products were being transported to M/S MAA Enterprise at lbari with DFO’s order number / Origil TP number NF /39/IND/15/2524-27 dated 28/05/17.

 Meanwhile, the imposition of levy via receipt book no. 17989 was imposed at Jagun Forest range office amounting to Rs 13,237 after due cross-checking by the ranger concerned. 

 However, smelling a rat in the process, quantity and volume of the loaded sawn timber, various local organization, including AATASU, Tai Ahom Yuba Parishad,  Moran Student Union, AATSA, AASAA, local NGOs Evergreen Foundation and Green Bud Society, have questioned the attitude of the forest officials. According to the aggrieved student bodies, 48 hours had lapsed but the forest department was yet to ascertain the status of the timber and its species.

 Meanwhile, Bipul Bora, the DFO of Digboi, said that the process of assertion and verification was being initiated. He added, “We have deployed officials for cross checking and counter verification of all the documents in liaison with the counterparts in Aruchal Pradesh. We will act as per the rules and regulations without being prejudiced to either party. If found infringing the rules, the department will act adequately against the erring party.”