Truck laden with sawn timber from Arunachal Pradesh seized in Digboi

OUR CORRESPONDENT

DIGBOI: The BJP government in Assam may claim to adopt zero-tolerance policy towards corruption but in Digboi the scenario is quite the opposite. Around 355 pieces of sawn timber being transported without satisfactory documents against the consignment were seized her on January 4.

According to TC Ranjit, the DFO of Digboi, a team of Digboi Forest Range intercepted a vehicle (AS-06 BC 7884) laden with 355 pieces of sawn timber of BC Class category procured from M/s Monika Wood Product near Arunachal Pradesh's Kharsang under Namphai Forest Range of Jairampur Forest Division. The consignment was bought by M/s SI Timber of Darrang district via TP NFD /34/IND/17/2640-43 dated 17.12.2020, which ironically expired the same day when it was intercepted in Digboi.

"We are having some serious doubts regarding the documentation, including the GST part, for which an investigation is being initiated by ACF Rajen Das to assert the exact nature of the offence, if any," said the DFO. "Police were informed and GST part is being investigated by the department concerned. We have written to our counterpart for verification," he added.

"Meanwhile, two claimants from Tinsukia had approached my office on January 5 for the release of the vehicle but I suggested to contact the ACF who is investigating the case," he further said.

When The Sentinel contacted ACF Rajen Das on Thursday afternoon for the status of the investigation, the official declined having any material information about the case. "I only know that a vehicle loaded with sawn timber was held and brought under forest custody here in Digboi and no such report of investigation or exact status of the act was within my knowledge," he said, exposing the lack of coordination among the officials themselves.

"Moreover, I am yet to receive any letter from the DFO directing me to look into the case," he added. The total cost of the seized timber consignment is estimated at Rs 1,85,346. Seizure of vehicles, sawn timber, timber logs, coal and minor minerals along with arrest of the accused over a period of time by Jagun police and forest staff bears testimony to the unabated inter-State smuggling and illegal activities being carried out by unscrupulous traders.

Jagun being the last border town of Tinsukia district, has become a gateway to inter-State timber smuggling, trans-border extractions, illegal mining activities and a thriving drug market wherein various contraband substances reach from nearby Arunachal Pradesh.

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