By PTI
KAZIRANGA: A police grievance was lodged on Sunday towards Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, religious chief Sadhguru and others for allegedly violating wildlife safety legal guidelines throughout their jeep safari after nightfall within the Kaziranga Nation Park the day prior to this.
The grievance was filed on the Bokakhat Police Station in Golaghat district by folks dwelling in villages on the perimeter of the nationwide park, a senior officer mentioned.
“We have started an enquiry into the issue. As the KNP falls under the forest department, we have asked for a status report on the allegations from the divisional forest officer of the park,” he mentioned.
When contacted, an official on the KNP, who wished to not be named, expressed his difficulties to touch upon the matter at this stage.
“People have a right to make an allegation, and based on it, an enquiry will be conducted. But before the matter is looked into, we cannot make any comment on it,” he mentioned.
On the allegation of violation of wildlife safety legal guidelines, the official evaded a reply and mentioned “things have to be viewed in perspective”.
“It was an official programme and sometimes, such an event runs a bit late. In such a situation, I don’t think we can call it a violation of law,” the official mentioned, referring to the allegation of jeep safari after nightfall.
In the grievance by Soneswar Narah and Prabin Pegu, residents of Morongiyal and Balijan Adarsh mannequin villages close to the park, it has been alleged that the jeep safari with the automobile’s headlights blazing after nightfall was “in violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972”.
They have demanded the quick arrest of Sadhguru Jagdish ‘Jaggi’ Vasudev, Sarma, state Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and others, who had been a part of the jeep safari.
Else, they needed a public apology from the alleged violators as per legislation. The complainants additionally demanded stringent motion towards the Sadhguru for coming into the park after the tip of the stipulated time for vacationers and driving a jeep with headlights on.
Narah and Pegu asserted that the perimeter dwellers have sacrificed their land, cattle and endured many hardships for the reason for safety of the park and have all the time abided by the foundations and legal guidelines. “Blatant disregard to the laws by VIPs should not be tolerated”, they mentioned. The problem has additionally been raised on social media by folks.
Environment activist Rohit Choudhury wrote on Twitter, “Evening safari after sunset in @kaziranga_..!! Is this not Violation of Section 27 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972.?? Just asking. this is the outcome of a flop Chief Wildlife Warden @assamforest & flop Director @kaziranga_ @ntca_india @SPYadavIFS @moefcc.”
On Saturday night, Sadhguru had pushed a automobile within the nationwide park with Sarma sitting beside him and different VIPs seated at the back of the automobile.
The Kaziranga National Park was opened for vacationers for the forthcoming season the day prior to this. Sarma had additionally shared a brief video of the safari on Twitter.
Sadhguru, the Isha Foundation chief, was in Kaziranga for the opening of a three-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ for ministers, legislators and bureaucrats of the state.
KAZIRANGA: A police grievance was lodged on Sunday towards Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, religious chief Sadhguru and others for allegedly violating wildlife safety legal guidelines throughout their jeep safari after nightfall within the Kaziranga Nation Park the day prior to this.
The grievance was filed on the Bokakhat Police Station in Golaghat district by folks dwelling in villages on the perimeter of the nationwide park, a senior officer mentioned.
“We have started an enquiry into the issue. As the KNP falls under the forest department, we have asked for a status report on the allegations from the divisional forest officer of the park,” he mentioned.
When contacted, an official on the KNP, who wished to not be named, expressed his difficulties to touch upon the matter at this stage.
“People have a right to make an allegation, and based on it, an enquiry will be conducted. But before the matter is looked into, we cannot make any comment on it,” he mentioned.
On the allegation of violation of wildlife safety legal guidelines, the official evaded a reply and mentioned “things have to be viewed in perspective”.
“It was an official programme and sometimes, such an event runs a bit late. In such a situation, I don’t think we can call it a violation of law,” the official mentioned, referring to the allegation of jeep safari after nightfall.
In the grievance by Soneswar Narah and Prabin Pegu, residents of Morongiyal and Balijan Adarsh mannequin villages close to the park, it has been alleged that the jeep safari with the automobile’s headlights blazing after nightfall was “in violation of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972”.
They have demanded the quick arrest of Sadhguru Jagdish ‘Jaggi’ Vasudev, Sarma, state Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and others, who had been a part of the jeep safari.
Else, they needed a public apology from the alleged violators as per legislation. The complainants additionally demanded stringent motion towards the Sadhguru for coming into the park after the tip of the stipulated time for vacationers and driving a jeep with headlights on.
Narah and Pegu asserted that the perimeter dwellers have sacrificed their land, cattle and endured many hardships for the reason for safety of the park and have all the time abided by the foundations and legal guidelines. “Blatant disregard to the laws by VIPs should not be tolerated”, they mentioned. The problem has additionally been raised on social media by folks.
Environment activist Rohit Choudhury wrote on Twitter, “Evening safari after sunset in @kaziranga_..!! Is this not Violation of Section 27 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972.?? Just asking. this is the outcome of a flop Chief Wildlife Warden @assamforest & flop Director @kaziranga_ @ntca_india @SPYadavIFS @moefcc.”
On Saturday night, Sadhguru had pushed a automobile within the nationwide park with Sarma sitting beside him and different VIPs seated at the back of the automobile.
The Kaziranga National Park was opened for vacationers for the forthcoming season the day prior to this. Sarma had additionally shared a brief video of the safari on Twitter.
Sadhguru, the Isha Foundation chief, was in Kaziranga for the opening of a three-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ for ministers, legislators and bureaucrats of the state.
