Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended a passing out parade of Assam Forest Protection Force at a colourful programme held at Lachit Barphukan Police Academy at Dergaon last month.
Dr. Sarma, in his address, said that in the last three years, all recruitments in State Government departments have happened transparently, where candidates have got jobs on merit basis. Referring to the sentence of imprisonment of the former Chairman and members of APSC, the Chief Minister said that their punishment is an indication that Assam has entered an era of honesty and transparency. “Now these appointments, which are the testimony of sheer merits and transparency, have generated faith and trust among the youth in the system,” said the Chief Minister.
Congratulating the new recruits, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that the passing out parade is the moment of pride and achievement for the recruits. “After going through the rigorous training to attain physical and mental competence, these constables have become assets of the State”, he said.
With the induction of 940 new constables, the strength of Assam’s Forest Protection Force has increased by 120%.
The Chief Minister said that with a substantial number of women appointees, the new recruits are adequately empowered to fight encroachers and poachers. “With the induction of new constables, a new milestone is achieved,” said Dr Sarma. He said that 600 new personnel will be recruited to join the Assam Forest Protection Force by February 2025.
Dr Sarma said that the total forest area in Assam is 26,832 sq km which is 34.21% of the total geographical area of the State. “With seven national parks and 17 wildlife sanctuaries, Assam is blessed with its unique wildlife along with bio diversity. For safety and protection of these wildlife resources, an adequate number of personnel in the Forest Protection Force is required,” said Dr. Sarma.
The first Assam Forest Protection Force was raised in 1984.
