TURA: A group of three inter-state timber smugglers ferrying a truck load of pine logs from Shallang in Khasi Hills to Rongsai in Assam were caught by NGOs from North Garo Hills (NGH) district near Tekachang at Resubelpara on Tuesday night.
The combined group of NGO workers from GSU, FKJGP, FAF and AAYF intercepted a truck bearing registration number ML 09 – 8285 at around 8 P.M. on Tuesday found that it was transporting timber without any valid transit document from the Forest Department.
The three accused have been identified as Abdul Awal from Nidanpur and Kadeep Ali from Goalpara in Assam and Francis Mawlie from Shallang in Khasi Hills. According to the organizations, the three accused along with the truck load of timber were handed over to the Mendipathar police and an FIR filed.
What has baffled the organisations is how the smugglers were able to get past so many check gates, police stations and police outposts during their journey via Rongjeng, Songsak and Dagal. The only paper that the smugglers were able to produce was a transit pass signed by the Songsak GDC Ranger.
Besides, the driver of the truck did not have a driving license and the vehicle’s registration papers also could not be produced.
“How could they travel undetected by concerned authorities under such circumstances? What were the police stations and the check gate officials doing?” the organisations asked.