Trucks loaded with timber and elephant seized

fROM A CORRESPONDENT

Diphu,  March 8: A squad of forest protection official led by Jotin Sharma, Divisiol Forest Officer of Hamren seized four logging trucks overloaded with green logs and one elephant from inside Meghalaya who smuggled the logs from Khatkhalsa, a woody spot inside Southern range of Hamren forest division in west Karbi Anglong on Saturday.

According to residents of Jirikinding, where the range office is located, due to utter negligence of the previous DFO and reflexive support of the Range Officer of Southern range Dhan Sing Terang, large scale illegal logging operation is going on.

"Transporting of green logs to Meghalaya is quite trouble-free particularly when the warden is helping the smugglers," said a local.

Interestingly, Dhan Sing Terang, the Range Officer did not participate in the operation against the smugglers and the DFO, who has joined the post recently, rushed with a team to intercept the convoy of trucks.

Soources said that all the trucks reached Safai, a place inside Jayantya Hills district of Meghalaya from where they were seized and brought back inside Assam by the condescending DFO who has a track record as a tough officer against corruption.

"The elephant has been handed over to the Meghalaya Wildlife Division as it would have been difficult for the animal to travel from Safai to Jirikinding. Around 11 illegal saw mills are operating randomly within Meghalaya which are nourished by timber of our forest, detail of the illegal saw mills will be placed before the higher authority for initiating measure" Jotin Sharma, Divisiol Forest Officer of Hamren said.