Three youths were injured in Assam's Golaghat district on Friday night after allegedly being shot by personnel from the Bokial Range Forest Office, situated under Numaligarh. The incident, which occurred near a reported illegal sand mining site, has triggered significant concern among local residents.
The injured have been identified as Intajul Ahmed, Bikash Orang, and Bishnu Sahu. All three are currently receiving medical treatment for bullet wounds sustained to their hands, back, and legs. Allegations suggest the incident took place while the trio was visiting the Shyamraipur area along the Doigrung river, a location frequently associated with illicit sand extraction.
Adding a critical layer to the incident, reports indicate that Intajul Ahmed had, just one day prior on Thursday, lodged a formal complaint with the Golaghat District Forest Department regarding persistent illegal sand mining activities in both the Sundarpur and Shyamraipur areas. The current allegations state that as Ahmed and his two companions went to inspect the site on Friday night, a team from the Bokial Range Forest Office opened fire on them without any warning.
The continued reports of illegal sand mining in the Shyamraipur and Sundarpur regions have long been a point of contention. This latest incident has not only intensified local anxieties but also raised serious questions about the operational conduct and accountability of forest department officials. As of now, the Forest Department has not released any official statement addressing the allegations or providing details on the incident.
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