Guwahati, April 29 -- The Assam government has admitted to illegally clearing forest land within the Innerline Reserved Forest at Damchera in Hailakandi district to construct a police commando battalion.

In an affidavit submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last week, the Assam Police Housing Corporation Limited apologised for the violation and offered to demolish part of the facility to meet the requirements for prior environmental clearance.

This admission came after the construction of the battalion, which involved diverting 11.5 hectares of forest land, proceeded without the necessary prior forest and environmental clearances.

The NGT's scrutiny of this case occurs against the backdrop of a Supreme Court directive in Febru...