MANGALDAI, May 13 - The Darrang district administration has launched a massive crackdown on illegal saw mills scattered in various remote areas. These saw mills are run by a section of traders under the nose of forest staff of North Kamrup Forest Division, Rangiya.
A joint team of civil and police administration led by Executive Magistrate Navadeep Changmai and officer in-charge of Panbari Police Outpost Nipon Baruah raided three sites � two at Barjhar and the other at Bherbheribill and evicted the saw mills. During the operation, the team also seized sets of machinery, generators, blades, a large number of logs and sawn timber planks among others. The entire operation was supported by the staff of the Mangaldai Forest Beat Office.
The operation, which lasted for several hours also managed to catch hold of several persons, including one Abdul Hai of Barijhar, kingpin of the illegal rackets. �I have already asked the Beat Officer to initiate legal action against the persons involved in the unlawful activities,� said Changmai, while narrating the entire operation. He asserted that more such operations would be carried out in the days to come.
It is learnt that a senior forest official in the rank of Principal Secretary asked the Darrang district to keep the entire operation secret in order to get the desired results.
