'BJP members involved in illegal timber trade': Debabrata Saikia

Nazira, May 21, 2019:

Leader of Opposition, Debabrata Saikia on Tuesday alerted the Director General of Police, Assam regarding the illegal trade flourishing in Nazira Sub-Division and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) is involved in the trade activities. He also requested the DGP to order a CID enquiry in order to unearth the facts regarding the matter.

In a letter, Debabrata Saikia wrote to DGP Kuladhar Saikia that an illegal timber trade has been taking root in the Nazira Sub-Division, with prima facie evidence indicating that this illegal trade is flourishing under the patronage of some persons who are influential members of the BJP. “This trade is spread over a sizeable area encompassing Nazira, Simaluguri, Santak, Bihubor, Mesagarh, Bawli Maidam, Sundar Pukhuri, Maduri, Mothiasiga, Misajan, Namti, Hatipati, Gelakey, Aathkhel, Borholla, Borborua, Lakhijan, Ligiri Pukhuri, Lakhimi Pukhuri, Asolabari, etc.” he added in the letter.

The Congress leader highlighted that restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court on the timber trade are being flouted with impunity by these illegal traders. Both the media as well as local people are reporting that valuable trees are being felled at night and cut into logs before being transported to various places.

Saikia also mentioned about the reports on the media that a vehicle carrying illegally-felled timber was seized en route to Bawli Maidam by the Nazira police on the night on May 19, 2019. “However, the police were compelled to release the vehicle the same night due to the intervention of one Mintu, who is said to be an employee of the ONGC as well as the relative of an MLA of the ruling BJP,” he added.

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