Seijosa, Dec 31: A patrolling team led by Range Forest Officer (RFO) TaloDibo, Rilloh Wildlife Range, under Pakke Tiger Reserve, apprehended five people in connection with illegal entry, camping, setting fire, illegal felling of trees and sawing of timber inside the Papum Reserve Forest, which also forms part of the buffer zone of Pakke Tiger Reserve.
The incident occurred on December 20 at around 7:30 PM at the Taching–Tamte area, during routine forest patrolling. The operation was carried out with the active participation of Nana Nabum, STPF (Special Tiger Protection Force);  Radhe Nabum, STPF; Tama Tana, Beat Guard;  John Techi, Beat Guard; Seba Techi, Beat Guard, along with other supporting staff of the Rilloh Wildlife Range.
During the operation, the team seized two power chain saws, one mobile phone, three machetes and keys of a tractor, all of which were used in the commission of the offence. The arrested people were subsequently produced before the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Pakke Tiger Reserve, Seijosa.
Considering the nature of the offence as compoundable, the Divisional Forest Officer,  Dhawan Kumar Rawat, IFS, exercising powers conferred under Section 54(4) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Section 62(1) of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, compounded the offence after realisation of a penalty amount of ₹50,000 (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) through e-Grass Challan No. AR0150129622025P dated 26/12/2025, credited under the account head “0406 – Forestry and Wildlife”.
The Rilloh Wildlife Range, under the leadership of RFO Talo Dibo, has been carrying out sustained and tireless enforcement drives to curb forest and wildlife offences. In a similar operation on December 18, three people were arrested and three power chain saws were seized from the same Range.
Despite acute manpower constraints, with only one regular officer posted in the Range, enforcement activities are being effectively carried out with the support of STPF personnel, Beat Guards, Anti-Poaching Squads and other contractual staff, reflecting the Forest Department’s strong resolve to protect forest and wildlife resources.
The Forest Department has reiterated that strict and uncompromising action will continue against all illegal activities inside reserve forests and protected areas.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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