The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has temporarily halted an order from the Assam government that aimed to deploy 1,600 personnel from the Assam Forest Protection Force (AFPF) for election duties ahead of the April 9, 2024 Assembly elections. The two-member NGT bench criticized the move as 'bad in law' and issued notices to several state authorities, including the environment ministry and Assam's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. The petitioner, advocate Gaurav Bansal, argued that the state's directive violated a May 2024 Supreme Court ruling prohibiting the use of forest staff for non-forestry duties. The AFPF, established in 1986, is mandated to protect Assam's forests and wildlife, which Bansal emphasized in his petition. The NGT highlighted procedural issues with the government's order, noting that it was not communicated to the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam. The official responsible for the order, M K Yadava, has a controversial background due to previous violations of forest conservation laws.