Tension at Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park as hundreds of encroachers attempt illegal entry

A tense and potentially dangerous situation unfolded at the newly declared Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park in Kokrajhar district after hundreds of alleged illegal encroachers attempted to enter and damage the protected forest area.

According to sources, large groups of encroachers, armed with sticks, axes, spades, matches and other weapons, tried to forcibly enter the national park. The situation escalated to the extent that forest guards were compelled to fire shots in the air to disperse the crowd and prevent further damage to the forest and threats to personnel.

The encroachers allegedly did not spare even forest officials while attempting to destroy portions of the national park, prompting immediate intervention by the forest department.

It may be recalled that on March 5 this year, the Assam government officially declared the Ultapani forest area along the India–Bhutan border as Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park. The protected area spans 316.29 square kilometres, covering parts of Kokrajhar and Chirang districts, and is considered ecologically significant.

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Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Hagrama Mohilary termed the incident a “political conspiracy” and said the forest department has been instructed to take strict action against illegal encroachment. He emphasised that no compromise would be made on protecting forest land and biodiversity.

Meanwhile, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Jayanta Kumar Brahma said that around 300 encroachers attempted to enter the national park illegally. “When they tried to attack forest guards, our personnel were forced to fire shots in the air and drive them out of the national park to control the situation,” he said.

Security has been tightened in and around the park, and forest officials remain on high alert to prevent further attempts at encroachment. Authorities have indicated that legal action will be initiated against those involved in the incident.