Timber allegedly smuggled from Arunachal's Namphai to Assam, Bolero seized in Lekhapani

Illegal inter-state transportation of timber has allegedly continued along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, with consignments reportedly being moved from unauthorised sawmills in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district to areas in Assam.

According to allegations, timber is being transported from several unauthorised sawmills in Namphai towards Margherita, Lekhapani and Ledo in Assam through the Namsik Gate without valid documents.

In the latest incident, a Lekhapani Police patrol team intercepted a Bolero pickup vehicle late Sunday night while it was allegedly transporting timber from Namphai towards Assam. The vehicle, bearing registration number AS 23 CC 4002, was seized by the police along with the timber.

There are also allegations that the seized timber belonged to individuals identified as Bolan and Joshi. However, the veracity of these claims has not been established and is expected to be determined during the investigation.

Following the interception, Lekhapani Police handed over the vehicle and the seized timber to the Lekhapani Forest Office for further legal action.

The seizure comes amid allegations of continued illegal timber movement across the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, particularly through routes connecting Namphai with the Margherita-Lekhapani-Ledo areas.