Mob vandalizes forest office in Kokrajhar, 8 arrested

Guwahati: On Monday, a group of villagers vandalized the Ultapani forest range office in Kokrajhar district of Assam. Hundreds of villagers from No. 2 Ultapani village, along the Indo-Bhutan border, attacked the forest office on Monday noon damaging office properties and vehicles.

According to forest officials, the villagers attacked the range office after the forest department staff had detained two forest mafias on Sunday night while cutting 'Sal' trees inside the forest under Ultapani range.

Though they were let go on Monday morning, a mob gathered at the range office later in the afternoon and damaged office properties.

At least four vehicles, office furniture, official documents, generators belonging to office were totally damaged in the attack.

The forest staff including the range officer Hemanta Mushahary had to run for their lives from what appeared as a certain attack on them too.

The police soon arrived at the spot and took control of the situation. As many as eight persons involved in the vandalism were arrested.

A First Information Report (FIR) has also been lodged with the police in connection with the incident.