Corruption Allegations Emerge in Lakhimpur Forest Division Following Officer's Arrest
New Corruption Claims in Lakhimpur Forest Division
The accused, identified as Shivashish Shandilya after caught taking bribe (Photo: @FightApsc/X)
North Lakhimpur, May 4: Following the recent arrest of a Forest Range Officer in North Lakhimpur, new allegations have emerged, intensifying scrutiny over purported corruption within the Lakhimpur Forest Division.
In the wake of Shivasish Sandilya's arrest on May 2, a quarry license holder has made serious claims against the district forest authorities, alleging a long-standing history of extortion.
Indrajit Morang, also known as Michael, stated on Sunday that despite possessing valid permits for sand mining and pebble extraction, he has been forced to make illegal payments to forest officials for over twenty years.
“I’ve spent nearly Rs 5 crore over the last twenty-five years just to keep my business running,” Morang asserted, describing what he termed a “systemic nexus” within the department.
He indicated that regular payments had become essential for survival in the industry, noting that ongoing extortion has severely impacted profit margins for legitimate operators.
Morang also alleged involvement in wildlife crimes, claiming that a former Divisional Forest Officer in Lakhimpur was engaged in elephant trafficking.
He further accused forest personnel, from senior officials to field staff, of accumulating disproportionate assets.
Morang argued that such practices in a district with minimal industrial activity may have resulted in significant revenue losses for the state over the years. He expressed concerns for his safety, fearing retaliation for his disclosures.
He highlighted the broader implications, stating that small-scale suppliers of sand and related materials, many of whom are unemployed youth, are being pressured by established syndicates.
Earlier, on May 2, Sandilya was reportedly caught in the act of accepting a bribe of Rs 12,000 from a vehicle owner involved in transporting sand and other minor minerals.
In response to the allegations, former Divisional Forest Officer Manoj Kumar Goswami dismissed the claims regarding elephant trafficking.
He questioned Morang’s credibility, asserting that permissions for elephant movement are granted by the Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Assam.
“Michael is not a credible person,” Goswami stated, adding that the transportation in question occurred from Golaghat district.
Morang has called on the state government to consider separating the mining division from the forest department to enhance transparency and combat corruption.
He also raised alarms about environmental degradation, alleging that deforestation and insufficient wildlife protection have deteriorated in Lakhimpur over the past two decades.
As of this report, there has been no official response from the state government.