Meghalaya: Indian Forest Service Association seeks CBI probe into CCF's death

Guwahati: The Indian Forest Service Association (IFSA) has written to the Meghalaya chief secretary, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the death of the state's chief conservator of forests, N Luikham.

Luikham, a highly respected officer known for his integrity, was found dead at his residence on Wednesday. The cause of death is reported to be suicide.

Luikham was a 2003 batch of the Indian Forest Service. Police informed, adding, he was serving as the chief conservator of forests with the Meghalaya government

The IFSA, in a letter to Meghalaya Chief Secretary Donland Phillips Wahlang, alleges that Luikham faced mental distress due to fabricated sexual harassment accusations.

The association claimed that these accusations were backed by a powerful mining lobby and that no evidence was found against Luikham.

Expressing concern about the circumstances surrounding the officer's death, the IFSA urges the chief secretary to assign the case to the CBI for an impartial investigation.

They also call for strict action against anyone found abetting or neglecting their duty in this case, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The IFSA highlighted Luikham's dedication to forest conservation and called his demise a setback to environmental efforts.