Alipurduar, Dec. 17: The divisional forest officer of wildlife III has asked for a detailed report on a beat head who has stayed away from the Dhumchi office of which he is in charge since yesterday without permission from his senior.

The beat officer, Suvendu Das, had left the campus along with his staff members, allegedly after he failed to pay a woman, whom he had promised compensation after her husband died while working for the forest department.

On August 21, Bimal Bhagat, a resident of Dhumchi village was struck by lightning while working in the forest. Bimal was a casual worker with the forest department. His wife Pratima, demanded compensation and started visiting the Dhumchi beat office frequently for the money. An annoyed Das often turned her away.

Pratima said: “Forest officials had assured me that they would give me Rs 1.30 lakh. The day my husband died, the range officer gave me Rs 20,000. That officer has been suspended (in some other case). I urgently need the money and I tried to meet the beat officer but he has gone away.” Pratima said she should have lodged a complaint but no one had advised her then.

Rabiul Islam, the secretary of Chapaguri Gram Unnayan Committee, said: “Tree felling is going on in the forest near the village but not a single staff is present at the beat office and the timber smugglers are utilising this opportunity.”

Das, however, reported to the divisional office in Cooch Behar today. Omprakash, the DFO of wildlife III, said: “I am surprised. Without giving any intimation to the range officer how can a beat officer lock his office and leave the campus? I will take disciplinary action against this officer soon.”

The DFO said he has not received any complaint from Pratima yet.