A man-made forest, Molai Kathoni 2.0, created by Padma Shri awardee Jadav Payeng in Assam's Jorhat-Majuli forest division, was substantially damaged by a fire. Officials and Payeng's daughter, Munmi, believe the fire was deliberately set by miscreants, destroying thousands of saplings and killing small animals. The Forest Department and police are investigating the incident. The Congress party has condemned the arson, alleging a sand mafia nexus and demanding the cancellation of sand mining licenses in the ecologically sensitive riverine area.