Assam Forest Official Suspended Following Corruption Allegations

Guwahati: Authorities suspended Montu Hazarika, a Forester-II in the Jorhat Forest Division, following an audio clip that hit social media. The recording allegedly captures the official engaging in corrupt acts. Hazarika is now sidelined pending the outcome of formal departmental proceedings.

Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah pushed for the move. He caught wind of the viral audio and ordered the department to act. The Divisional Forest Officer in Jorhat officially placed Hazarika under suspension according to the Assam Services Disciplinary and Appeal Rules of 1964.

Hazarika must report to the Mariani Range Headquarters immediately. He remains on the payroll for now. The department stated he will be "entitled to subsistence allowance and other admissible benefits in accordance with the applicable rules until the departmental proceedings are concluded." He waits for the final verdict from his desk at the new post.