Illegal band sawmills and size saw machines are purportedly springing up in Udalguri right under the noses of the Assam forest department.

Illegal band sawmills and sizing saw machines have purportedly grown up in different sections of the Udalguri district, including Khoirabari, Jhargaon, Dalangkhat, Mougaon, and Dimakuchi sub-divisional regions. According to sources, sinister groups have established up band sawmills by forming an unholy alliance with forest department personnel.

“Illegal wood milling and smuggling have been going on for a long time, causing licenced timber mill operators to lose money. Despite tip-offs, forest department authorities seldom act,” a licenced wood mill owner claimed.