NAMSAI : Range Forest Officer (RFO) Ram Ering has been suspended amid an ongoing bandh in Namsai district over demands for accountability following a road accident in the Tengapani Reserve Forest area on August 9 that left one person dead and two others critically injured, officials said on Thursday.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) placed Ering under suspension under Rule 10(1) of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.

The action came days after four forest personnel were suspended in connection with the accident. The latest suspension followed protests by local student and youth organisations, which have alleged departmental lapses and illegal timber-related activities in the area. The allegations have not been independently verified.

The bandh has been called by the All Namsai District Students’ Union, All Namsai Area Youth Association, All Tai Kamti Singpho Students’ Union and other organisations, which alleged that assurances given by authorities after the accident had not been fulfilled.

Vehicular movement was disrupted during the agitation, with protesters blocking NH-15 at 2nd Mile and burning tyres at several locations.

The organisations said they had earlier submitted a nine-point memorandum and claimed that the RFO and forest authorities had assured them in writing that their demands would be addressed within seven days of the accident. They said the deadline passed without a satisfactory response.

While Ering’s suspension has met one of their key demands, the organisations said their demand for compensation remains unresolved. They have sought Rs 1 crore for the family of the deceased and Rs 50 lakh each for the two injured persons.

The protesters alleged that the accident occurred after a vehicle carrying illegally felled timber was left on NH-15 in the Tengapani Reserve Forest area. They said the agitation was aimed not only at seeking accountability for the death but also at preventing similar incidents allegedly linked to illegal timber transportation and sawmill operations.

The organisations said the bandh would continue until their remaining demands were addressed and a satisfactory response received from the authorities. A response from the authorities on the pending demands is awaited. (Source: NewsFY)