A team from the Assam forest department, which had lost contact during a patrol in a remote forest near the Nagaland border in Dima Hasao district, has been traced after nearly two days.
The team, comprising forest staff of Langting Range, Manderdisa Range, Hatikhola Range and Maibong Range, had on July 23 left for a forest patrol and survey covering the Langting, Maibang and Khepre areas.
“Relieved to share that our forest department team, comprising 23 forest officials and three accompanying personnel, has been traced and is safe,” Assam forest minister Jayantamalla Baruah informed on Sunday.
“The team had lost contact while carrying out patrolling and combing operations in the remote forests along the Dima Hasao–Karbi Anglong–Nagaland border, where network connectivity is limited,” the forest minister said.
“For nearly two days, communication remained disrupted, following which an extensive search operation involving the forest department, police and district administration, supported by drones and a senior IFS team, was launched,” he informed.
According to sources, the team had last communicated with departmental authorities on the evening of July 24. Subsequently, there has been no contact, with their mobile phones either switched off or outside network coverage.
“This incident is a reminder of the extraordinary commitment of our forest personnel. They venture into some of the most remote and challenging terrains to protect our forests, wildlife and natural heritage, often putting themselves at great personal risk,” the forest minister said.
He further thanked the agencies involved in the search efforts and lauded the forest officials for their unwavering dedication and service to Assam.
Drones, Police And IFS Team Join Search To Trace Missing Forest Officials In Dima Hasao
