Tezpur (Assam), Mar 12: The Assam unit of BJP today demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged looting of houses and property of 300 families during an eviction drive by forest officials at Thandapani area of Sonitpur district on February one. ''The affected tribal and Adivasi families were settled in Thandapani area for the last 35 years and they acted as sentinel against any encroachment of Assam's territories from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh'', senior BJP leader R P Sarmah told reporters here. The party also demanded rehabilitation of the affected family members. Sarmah alleged that under the direction of the DFO of east Sonitpur forest division, a police team destroyed the huts and looted the domestic animals and properties of innocent villagers of the area. Sarmah said that he has already sent a letter in this regard to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and its copies to Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Assam Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha.

Bureau Report