Ex-Bureaucrats Oppose Deployment of Forest Guards for Poll Duty in Assam, Cite ECI Norms

A group of former bureaucrats and wildlife conservationists has raised strong objections to the Assam government’s decision to deploy forest guards for election duty ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls, alleging that the move violates guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In an open letter addressed to the state government, the signatories urged authorities to immediately withdraw the order directing the deployment of around 1,600 personnel from the Assam Forest Protection Force (AFPF) for poll-related duties. They argued that diverting forest guards from their primary responsibilities could significantly weaken forest protection efforts across the state.
The former officials maintained that ECI norms prohibit the use of territorial forest personnel, including officers of the Indian Forest Service (IFS), for election duties. They also referred to a recent order of the Supreme Court of India, which exempts forest staff and departmental resources from being requisitioned for such purposes.
The letter was authored by Prakriti Srivastava and co-signed by several prominent figures, including Meena Gupta and other conservation experts.
Expressing concern over environmental security, the signatories warned that even temporary diversion of frontline forest personnel could leave ecologically sensitive areas vulnerable to illegal activities such as poaching, logging, and encroachment. They described the decision as an “administrative overreach” and called for urgent corrective action.
According to the state government’s directive issued earlier this month, AFPF personnel have been asked to assist police forces during the elections scheduled for April 9. The guards are expected to report for duty in early April and return to their regular assignments after polling concludes.
The issue has triggered a broader debate on balancing election management requirements with the need to safeguard Assam’s forests and wildlife, especially at a time when the state continues to face environmental challenges.