Forest Officials Crack Down on Illegal Excavation in Palasbari

In a significant enforcement action, forest officials in Palasbari seized a JCB machine used for illegal excavation on government land near the Meghalaya border. The operation, led by Rani range forest officer Roji Barman, targeted an individual allegedly excavating land adjacent to a reserved forest area. Despite the swift action, the operator and an accomplice managed to escape upon the officials' arrival. This incident underscores the ongoing efforts to protect government property and the environment from unlawful activities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 23, 2025, 10:11 IST

Significant Action Against Illegal Excavation

Palasbari, Dec 23: In a decisive move against unlawful excavation activities, forest officials confiscated a JCB machine on Sunday in Belguri, a locality near the Meghalaya border, where it was being utilized for unauthorized digging on government property.

Reports indicate that a person named Dhanmani Mahanta had been illegally excavating land adjacent to a reserved forest area close to his periodic patta land for several days. The excavated soil was allegedly being transported to various sites using dump trucks.

Following credible information, Rani range forest officer Roji Barman spearheaded a team from the forest department to the location during daylight hours, successfully seizing the JCB while the illegal excavation was ongoing.

Upon the arrival of the forest officials, the operator of the JCB and an accomplice reportedly fled the scene.

Subsequently, the forest team transported the confiscated JCB to the office of the Rani range forest officer.