Bajrang Dal Alleges ‘Land Jehadi’ Conspiracy Behind Massive Hill Cutting in Udharbond

Bajrang Dal’s Madhya Cachar Zila unit has submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Cachar Forest Division, alleging large-scale illegal hill cutting, forest land destruction, riverbank excavation and extraction of stone and GSB materials in several parts of the Udharbond region.

In the memorandum, the organisation urged the Forest Department to immediately investigate the allegations and take strict legal action against those found responsible. Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), Assam.

According to the memorandum, complaints have been received from local residents regarding alleged illegal activities in areas including Japirbond, Nagar Karamtukra, Madhura Huaraja, Madhura Sukapunji and 60 Ghar Natun Punji. The organisation claimed that hills, forest land and riverbanks are being damaged through the use of heavy machinery such as excavators and JCBs.

The memorandum alleged that hills near forest and tea garden areas in Japirbond are being extensively cut, increasing the risk of landslides. In Nagar Karamtukra, it alleged illegal extraction and transportation of stone and GSB materials, along with excavation along the banks of the Madhura River. Similar allegations were raised regarding forest and hilly areas in Madhura Huaraja, Madhura Sukapunji and 60 Ghar Natun Punji.

Bajrang Dal claimed that if the activities continue unchecked, they could lead to landslides, riverbank erosion, flooding, loss of agricultural land, damage to biodiversity and increased human-wildlife conflict.

The organisation demanded an immediate high-level inquiry, suspension of all alleged illegal activities, identification of those involved, seizure of machinery used in such operations and restoration of damaged forest and hill areas. It also called for regular monitoring and enforcement drives to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Speaking to the media, Madhya Cachar Zila president Ponkoj Das alleged that illegal excavation and hill cutting had taken place over a stretch of approximately 2 to 5 kilometres on the left side of the road leading to the Bonodurga Temple. He questioned how such activities could allegedly continue openly without the knowledge of authorities or the presence of any official signage indicating authorised work.

Das described the alleged activities as “Land Jehadi” and demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.

Vice-president Chiranjit Kumar Sinha also addressed the media and referred to the alleged activities as “Jehadi conduct”. Referring to the Bonodurga Temple area, he alleged that illegal tree felling and land excavation were part of a conspiracy and appealed to the Chief Minister and the administration to take action. He said the organisation would launch larger protests if similar incidents were reported in the future.

Sinha further warned that if any connection was established between the alleged activities and those he described as being behind the conspiracy, they should face legal consequences. However, he did not name any individual.