Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Dec 23: On the complaint of Forest Department, Police here today initiated criminal proceedings against 15 persons accused of deliberately igniting forest fires in Bhaderwah Forest Division.
An FIR with no. 128/2024 has been lodged at Police Station Gandoh on formal complaint by Block Officer of Forest Block Jai-Chirala Range. The primary accused, Mohd Rafiq, son of Din Mohd Paray from Batogra, Tehsil Kahara and his 14 accomplices will face charges under Section 26 of Indian Forest Act for allegedly starting a forest fire in Tanta, Tehsil Kahara on December 18, 2024.
The incident has resulted in extensive environmental damage, compromising both flora and fauna in the affected area.
Sandeep Kumar, Conservator of Forests Chenab said: “The current dry spell has heightened our forest fire risks but what’s particularly alarming is the emergence of deliberate fire-starting incidents. In response, I’ve directed all Divisional Forest officers to pursue legal action against perpetrators through FIR registration.”
SSP Doda, Sandeep Mehta said: “We were getting numerous reports of forest fires from Gandoh and Bhaderwah and when the matter was probed with the help of Forest Department it came to fore that some miscreants were using this tactics for their illegal timber business.”
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