By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Secretary, All Garo Hills Forest Villagers’ Association (AGHFVA), Baghmara Robert T Sangma submitted a memorandum of demands to the chief minister Dr Mukul Sangma recently on behalf of aggrieved forest villagers and affected forest and field staff demanding prompt and necessary action from the government.
The secretary demanded financial assistance for rehabilitating displaced families as a consequence of Indo-Bangla Border fencing and coup-auction on valuable standing trees in the No Man’s Land. He claimed that these valuable trees are mercilessly felled and illegally carried to Bangladesh by Bangladeshis.
He also demanded launching of environmental and afforestation awareness campaign at all forest villages.
Sangma also sought fund for purchase of engine boats since large scale timber smuggling is being carried out through river Simsang and the forest staff cannot check and detect this crime.
