Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Sept 10: A Forester and Beat Guard of Dudu Range in Udhampur Forest Division have been placed under suspension for allegedly conniving with the timber smugglers while 187 pieces of Kail timber of different sizes, were seized by the raiding team last evening.
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Official sources said that acting on specific information, a Forest team led by Range Officer Mahesh Abrol, on the directions of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Udhampur, Rushal Garg, conducted a raid at the residence of one Jaipati Varman, son of Badar Varman, originally from West Bengal and currently residing in Dharamthal (Chenani) in district Udhampur. The operation, conducted with precision, revealed a substantial cache of illegal timber.
During the searches in the premises, it was discovered that Jaipati Varman had illegally stock-piled a staggering 187 pieces of Kail timber, measuring 185.817 cubic feet in total, all extracted from Beat Gharrian-II of Dudu Range. In addition to the timber, two mechanical table top cutters were also recovered from the premises.
DFO Udhampur, Rushal Garg when contacted disclosed that during questioning Jaipati Varman was unable to produce any valid document or permission to justify the presence of this timber in his premises. Consequently, the timber, along with two sawn blades (measuring 9″ and 14″) and one motor stand, were immediately seized on the spot.
Varman revealed during questioning that he had procured the timber from one Surinder Sharma, son of Kartar Chand, residing in Gharrian area, across Tawi river. Moreover, both Jaipati Varman and Surinder Sharma have confessed their involvement in the smuggling/illegally stocking the timber. They have been booked in the case.
Garg said following a preliminary inquiry into the case, the I/C Beat Guard- Raj Singh and I/C Block Officer (Forester), Avishek Sharma of the area from which the timber was extracted, have been suspended and attached to the Divisional Forest office, Udhampur. He said the Forest Department is committed to preserving valuable natural resources and will continue to take decisive action against those involved in such activities.
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