HT Correspondent
DONGKAMUKAM, Oct 18: A team of forest officials, in an operation to prevent smuggling of logs in the bordering area of Assam and Meghalaya were gheraoed by miscreants who numbered more than 200. The mob was armed with guns, daos and axes.
In the fallout of the event, the forest officials were unable to recover the illegal logs. The logs were later taken away by the armed miscreants. It may be mentioned that the Assam-Meghalaya border is contested by both States in West Karbi Anglong.
Also, in the past there have been several instances of miscreants entering West Karbi Anglong to fell tress illegally and smuggle them across the border into Meghalaya.
The incident occurred when a team of Forest officials from Kheroni Southern Range was on a routine patrol. They came across a truck, ML-05-5072, loaded with logs at Mukroh and detained it. While the forest officials were bringing the truck towards Kheroni, a mob of around 300 armed with daos, guns and axes surrounded them. The mob took the truck along with the logs towards Meghalaya.
In this regard, the forest officials have lodged a complaint at Jirikendeng Police Station in West Karbi Anglong.
