Fake Journalist Accused Of Timber Smuggling And Assault In Borkhola; Victim Held, Attackers Freed

A husband-wife duo, both allegedly masquerading as people in positions of power, are under the scanner for their alleged involvement in a timber smuggling racket and recently an assault in the Borkhola area. While the husband, Dilwar Hussain Barbhuiya, poses as a journalist, the wife had earlier impersonated the then Superintendent of Police of Cachar, Ramandeep Kaur, to extort money from a poultry-transporting vehicle, for which she was arrested by Cachar Police back then.

The latest incident took place around 2 AM on Saturday (June 21) when Mumin Hasan Barbhuiya, a local youth, was returning from the Damchhera stone quarry. A Bolero pickup truck, allegedly carrying smuggled timber, approached at high speed and attempted to hit him. When Mumin signalled the vehicle to stop, four to five men alighted from the Bolero, and one of them, identified as Dilwar, reportedly said, “I’m a reporter, do you know who I am?” with a gusto that Dilwar could ruin Mumin’s life if angered. Later, they allegedly assaulted Mumin. Dilwar Hussain Barbhuiya is a resident of Ramnagar, Silchar.

The accused Dilwar Hussain Barbhuiya’s vehicle bears a “PRESS” sticker, and he carries an ID card claiming to be a correspondent for a Sribhumi-based media page. His wife, who was also present during the incident, is allegedly involved in the operation.

Mumin’s father, Nazim Uddin Barbhuiya, said that although police reached the spot and brought his son and the timber-laden vehicle to Borkhola Police Station, the attackers, including Dilwar and his wife, were let go. He told reporters that his son remains in police custody while those reportedly responsible for the assault walk free.

According to locals and sources, Dilwar and his wife have long been using fake identities to smuggle timber sourced from forests in Dima Hasao, Mizoram and Manipur. The timber is then sold at high prices. The couple allegedly intimidates and blackmails people by claiming to be “connected journalists” with political and administrative influence.

As of the filing of this report, no formal FIR had been submitted by either party. However, police have confirmed an ongoing investigation. The seized timber-laden Bolero is expected to be handed over to the Forest Department for further action.