HT Correspondent
KHERONI, Aug 1: The Southern Range of the Forest Department, West Karbi Anglong, seized illegally procured teak timber during a raid at a furniture shop in Langmepi on Friday. The operation was led by Range Officer Bitupon Ronghang.
The timber, allegedly stored by smugglers, was recovered from the premises of M/s Mon Timber and Furniture, owned by Bhola Ronghang. The shop was sealed following the seizure. However, no arrests have been made so far, and there is no report of an FIR being lodged.
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According to forest officials, it is an unusual instance where a commercial establishment was found being used as a timber dump by smugglers. The Southern Range typically deals with rampant smuggling of forest resources and illegal sand mining in the region.
Sources said timber smuggling operations often involve felling of trees in the already depleting forest areas of West Karbi Anglong, with the felled logs being transported into Meghalaya. Local involvement and cross-border logistical support are suspected, as evident from frequent seizures of equipment and vehicles used in such activities.
The porous and contested Assam-Meghalaya border continues to pose a major challenge in curbing illegal timber trade in the region.
