KOKRAJHAR, Sept 29: In a major breakthrough, the Bodoland Forest Protection Force of the Forest Department under Kachugaon forest division and local NGOs including Green Forest Conservation and Green Leaf Society unearthed a major illegal timber business recently approximately worth Rs 1 crore in a raid at Jhalabila area under Parbhatjhora subdivision of Kokrajhar district.There were over 50 persons who raided the area and discovered four illegal saw mills with timbers and valuable logs in three villages by the Tipkai and Mora Tipkai rivers. Two of the mills were just about 100 metres from the Jhalabila police camp. Left over timbers were seen at the police camp which were said to be used as firewood. The BTC deputy chief Kampha Borgoyary offered all possible help in carrying out the raid.Though the area falls under the Khoraghat range of Parbhatjhora forest division, the help of Kahcugaon forest division was taken to carry out the raid, fearing that if the local officials were informed the operation will be jeopardized.Local people have alleged that Government officials, some from the Forest Department including the police have been maintaining nexus with the saw mill owners and timber smugglers who takes Rs 15,000 from each illegal mill per month. According to locals, logs are first brought to the saw mills and later timber are ferried to other places with boats. The remote geographical location of the area without proper communication network makes it an ideal place for the illegal timber business.The Bilasipara Subdivision Police Officer (SDPO) Md Imdad Ali even spoke in favour of the villagers saying that the raid was illegal and asked whether the members of the Forest Protection Force were former militants like the BLT and NDFB. The seized machines, timber logs were later handed over to the Khoraghat forest office.