(IN): Conservationists want absconding MLAs arrested

March 30, 2009

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Conservationists want absconding MLAs arrested

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 29 – The call for arrest of two MLAs Jiten Gogoi and Kushal

Duori today grew louder with a number of notable conservation groups coming

together in a sit-in protest here today. The duo has been evading the police

after cases were filed against them for trespassing inside Kaziranga

National Park carrying sophisticated arms and assaulting park personnel.

Representatives of WWF-India, Aaranyak, EcoSystems India, Early Birds,

Kaziranga Wildlife Society and Dolphin Foundation were among those who took

part in the protest action. Renowned elephant expert Parvati Baruah also

participated in the event.

The NGOs expressed utter surprise over the lack of any visible action by the

authorities to arrest the MLAs and initiate legal proceedings against them

for the “illegal and deplorable act” in Kaziranga that took place on March

17 this year.

In a press note, the protesting groups pointed out that FIRs were lodged at

the Bokakhat Police Station against the two MLAs – under case No 42/91 under

Sections 147, 148, 149, 447, 353 and 427 IPC, under Section 27 of the Indian

Arms Act, and under Section 51 of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 as amended in

2006, and another case No 43/09 under Section 147, 148, 149, 447, 353 and

506 IPC.

The NGOs, expressing dismay over police inaction, stated that although

non-bailable warrants were reportedly issued against the accused, the police

have taken no steps except declaring Gogoi and Duori as absconders. This was

in stark contrast to media persons having access to the MLAs, and getting

them filmed. “The attitude of Assam Police is worrying and points towards

political pressure,” they said.

Referring to the urgent need to protect Assam’s wildlife and environment,

the NGOs demanded immediate arrest of the accused persons without further

delay, and urged the State Government to take stern action against the

absconding MLAs.

The protestors also expressed their solidarity with the officials and staff

of Kaziranga and vowed to fight unitedly to bring the accused to book.

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