Digboi: Assam’s Tinsukia saw a tense situation on Monday morning after a forest official narrowly avoided a potential mob attack at Nazirating Ghat under the Doomdooma Forest Division, within the jurisdiction of Digboi Police Station.
What began as a routine enforcement drive escalated into a confrontation, raising questions about forest administration and operational procedures.
The incident involved the alleged assault of two local residents, one from Tamuli Forest Village and another from Nazirating Tea Garden, by a forest team led by the Khatangpani Range Incharge.
Eyewitnesses reported that the two men were struck with lathis, their bicycles damaged, and personal belongings displaced.
The injured individuals, reportedly staff involved in transporting minor minerals from the riverbed, were taken to Digboi Civil Hospital. News of the incident spread quickly through the tea garden belt, drawing hundreds of local residents, primarily from the Adivasi community, to the Nazirating Beat Office where the forest official was present.
The situation became tense, with residents demanding accountability. Police, commandos, and Forest Protection Force personnel were deployed to prevent escalation. A magistrate also visited the site as authorities worked to restore order.
Immediate cash compensation was provided to the injured, and the Forest Department expressed regret. Some residents, however, described the move as “a face-saving exercise rather than genuine accountability.”
The episode has drawn attention to the functioning of the Doomdooma Forest Division under Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Mriganka Bora. Critics note that this incident follows earlier issues, including a large-scale forest fire in the Nazirating belt, raising questions about monitoring, preparedness, and field-level enforcement.
Questions have also been raised about administrative coordination, as the Khatangpani Range officer led an operation in the Doomdooma Range jurisdiction. Observers have asked whether such cross-range deployment reflects systemic challenges or specific operational requirements.
An Adivasi leader, speaking to media, suggested that the confrontation may have been linked to alleged non-payment of money by mining operators. The leader claimed that illegal collections were being made from businessmen transporting minerals from the Dibru riverbed.
“If the ghat is illegal, how is it operating openly under the very nose of the forest department?” he questioned. “And if it is legal, why resort to brutality?”
The leader demanded a high-level probe into the functioning of DFO Mriganka Bora, alleging that the division has frequently hit media headlines over irregularities. His remarks have resonated strongly among residents who believe the incident is merely the tip of the iceberg.
DFO Mriganka Bora reportedly denied authorizing any assault, stating that the team had been sent solely for site verification. Forest sources claimed that the team was under pressure to check alleged ongoing excavation and that several individuals fled upon seeing officials, leaving the two injured men behind.
Several questions remain, including the legal status of the mining site, the authorization of the operation, and allegations of illegal monetary collections. Authorities are yet to clarify these matters.
Security forces remain deployed at Nazirating, maintaining a cautious presence. While the immediate situation has stabilized, underlying tensions and questions about administrative oversight persist.
The resolution of these concerns will depend on further review and action by higher authorities.