Citizen’s Meeting demands forensic test before disposing off rhino horns

The Journalists’ Forum, Assam has organized a citizen’s meet at Guwahati Press Club today. Various environmental organizations and individuals participated in the meeting. The meeting unanimously resolved three decisions for greater interest of wildlife protection initiatives in Assam.

In its first resolution, the meeting demanded that the authority must ensure a transparent forensic test of the ‘to be burn’ over 1500 endengered rhino horns by the forest department of Assam. Mentionable that Assam forest department has already made a decision (also make it public) to dispose off all the rhino horns in its possession. The department has also formed a committee under the chairmanship of Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force of Assam to monitor the matter.

In the second resolution the meeting reiterated its demand for a CBI enquiry to probe against the rhino poaching and various anomalies alleged against the forest department of Assam. Mentionable that Journalists’ Forum, Assam along with All Assam Students’ Union and Nature’s Beckon had raised voices for a high level probe against rhino poaching in various forest reserves of Assam. Even the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and State Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain declared two years back that the government was ready for a CBI probe. But no steps have been taken so far.

In the third resolution the meeting appreciated the forest department’s decision to organize the public hearings before burning the rhino horns. But at the same time the meeting appealed the district-wise observation committee to make ensure that the forensic test takes place in order to maintain its transparency.

The meeting was presided over by Rupam Barua, president JFA where environment activists Somyadeep Datta of Nature’s Beckon, Malay Barua of Early Birds, Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar of Aranyak, Sanjay Sonowal of Assam Forest Protection Group, Utpal Nath of Pabitora Conservation Society, Bedabrat Lahkar of JUA, Pulin Kalita of AUWJ, Biraj Choudhury, Bhaimon Hazarika, Jagadindra Raichoudhury, Mukul Kalita, Mubina Akhter, Sabita Lahkar, Jayanta Gogoi, Nirab Barman, Buljit Buragohain, Namita Bora, Mohidhar Barman and others expressed their views.

The meeting also condoled the murder of a forest guard (of Orang National Park) named Hasan Ali, 50 on June 12 last by the miscreants with one minute silence.