Assam: Forest official allegedly beat up fisherman in Kaziranga

Tensions have escalated in Kaziranga National Park due to a dispute over fishing rights. A group of locals blocked National Highway 37 in Nahrubasti, bringing traffic to a standstill on both the Lower and Upper Assam side.

The unrest was triggered by an incident in which a local man, who had come to fish in the forests of Ranglu in Kaliabor and Burhapahar, was allegedly assaulted by a forest department official.

The man, who was critically injured, was taken to a nearby hospital. It is important to note that this incident occurred after the forest department had granted permission to the locals to fish in the Garlicbasti Daflang Beel.

It needs mentioned here that ahead of Magh Bihu, the district administrations of Golaghat, Biswanath Chariali and Kaliabor have issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC, prohibiting community fishing at the water bodies under the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) and its peripheral areas, reports Dhrubajyoti Malakar.