Assam Transfers Hajo Forest Ranger and Suspends Forester Over Alleged Sand Extortion

Overview

• The state forest department moved Hajo Forest Range Officer Pranjal Barman out of North Kamrup Division and placed Forester-I Imtiaz Ahmed under suspension as formal inquiries begin.
• Dumper owners have accused forest staff of collecting regular unreceipted sums from sand transporters, claiming payments continued for about two years.
• One transporter, Mojibor Ali, alleged the ranger demanded about Rs 3,500 monthly and between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500 during routine checks and said he can produce payment records for investigators.
• State Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah confirmed the orders and framed them as immediate administrative steps under a zero-tolerance policy while departmental proceedings run.
• Sand removal from forest areas requires official challans at inspection points, a system transporters say created opportunities for illicit collections and that a thorough probe could change local enforcement and protect operators.