Illegal settlers, believed to be suspected nationality, attacked Nagaon DFO Jitendra Kumar’s vehicle at Latimari Char inside Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary when the latter went to the sanctuary premises to inspect an abandoned quarter.
Illegal settlers numbering around 100 to 150 and armed with daos, sickles, wooden sticks and bamboos attacked the Nagaon DFO at Latmari Char. It was a close shave for Kumar and other forest guards accompanying him as the illegal settlers cornered them in the riverine area of the Brahmaputra.
#DevelopingNews | Nagaon DFO Jitendra Kumar's vehicle attacked by illegal settlers at Latimari Char inside Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary, miscreants attacked his vehicle when he went to serve them notice to clear from sanctuary premises, close shave for DFO Kumar. pic.twitter.com/HzgRdybb6z
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) January 3, 2019
A forest guard said a large group of people numbering around 100-150 cornered them and attacked the vehicle carrying the DFO and the other forest personnel, vandalizing one of them.
“It was a close shave for us as the people were armed with crude weapons and sharp sticks and attacked us. It was probably a pre-planned attack as they had been served eviction notice to clear from the sanctuary premises,” a forest official told News Live after the incident, adding that they were able to escort DFO Kumar to safety.
Meanwhile, the incident evoked sharp reaction with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) claiming that the incident is another pointer to the Government failing to protect block, belts and forest land from migrant illegal settlers.
