Guwahati, May 31: A forest department personnel was killed and three others sustained injuries by a group of timber smugglers at Bor Matia forest area in Assam’s Goalpara district.
Sources said the forest personnel along with three others had gone to seize a tractor loaded with timbers, when suddenly the smugglers who were involved in the racket attacked them.
The smugglers attacked them with sharp weapons, causing serious harm.
One of the injured individuals, identified as Rajbir Ahmed, succumbed to his injuries during transportation to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital.
After learning of the incident, the local police swiftly responded and managed to rescue the injured forest personnel. They were immediately rushed to Goalpara Civil Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Sources said the timber smugglers are slashing down trees in broad day light using sophisticated machines. They don’t care for anyone and openly running the racket.
Goalpara MLA Abul Kalam Rasheed Alam has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging the Assam government to initiate a judicial probe.
He further demanded that the state government provide a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the deceased personnel’s next of kin, recognizing the sacrifices made by those dedicated to protecting Assam’s natural resources.
