This story is from May 22, 2018

Forest official held in sand-mining racket

Last year, the BIEO registered a case based on complaints alleging that top forest officials, in connivance with contractors, were running an illegal sand-mining racket in the Doigrung River.
Forest official held in sand-mining racket
(Representative image)
GUWAHATI: The Assam Police's Bureau of Investigation (Economic Offences) has arrested a deputy ranger of Golaghat forest division for his alleged involvement in an illegal sand-mining racket in the Doigrung river area of Golaghat district, some 290 km from here. The accused, Mukul Ali Hazarika, was brought to the city on Monday.
Last year, the BIEO registered a case based on complaints alleging that top forest officials, in connivance with contractors, were running an illegal sand-mining racket in the Doigrung River.
The officials were allegedly issuing fake challans to run the operation. "Subsequently, a BIEO team conducted an inquiry and found out that sand depot owners, in collaboration with forest officials, were manipulating challan books to embezzle government royalty for personnel gains," a source said.
The police wing believes that the arrest of Hazarika would be crucial to unearth the role of top forest officials involved in the scam. "Hazarika claimed that he was only following the orders of his seniors. Another top forest official is on the run since since April. A hunt is on to nab him," the source added.
The BIEO has prayed for five-day remand of Hazarika for further interrogation.
Police said another forest department official, suspected to be one of the key racketeers in the case, is currently evading police action. Some of the accused are believed to be hiding in Nagaland.
Illegal sand mining in the rivers of the state poses a great threat to the ecology and environmentalists of the region are demanding strong action agianst those involved in the racket. During the monsoon, when river flow becomes rash, the absence of sand beds triggers heavy erosion on the banks. Demand for sand has grown over the years because of a boom in the real estate sector.
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