Allegation of selective crackdown as forest department halts licensed sand mahal in Central Assam

Allegations of selective enforcement have surfaced against the Assam Forest Department after a legally permitted sand extraction site along the border of Morigaon district and Kamrup Metropolitan district was ordered to suspend operations, even as illegal sand mining reportedly continues unabated in several rivers across central Assam.

According to local sources, large-scale sand extraction activities have been ongoing for a long time in rivers such as the Killing and Kapili. Residents alleged that many of these operations are functioning without valid permits, but enforcement agencies have failed to take action against them.

Amid this backdrop, controversy erupted after a licensed sand mahal located between Na-Bahtia and Aujari was directed to halt operations barely a week after receiving official approval from the Sonapur Forest Division.

Local youths associated with the sand mahal claimed that around 100 unemployed youths from the area had invested their own money and started sand extraction work after obtaining the necessary permission from the forest department.

However, they alleged that the Sonapur Forest Division later issued fresh instructions asking them to stop operations, leading to financial uncertainty for those dependent on the activity for livelihood.

The affected youths questioned why action was being taken against a legally approved operation while illegal sand mining allegedly continues unchecked in several river belts of central Assam.

They demanded clarity from the authorities and urged the administration to adopt a uniform policy against illegal mining activities across the region.