Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: High Court today directed Divisional Forest Officer, Dub Division Dharmari Mahore to seal three saw mills (band saws) in Bagga Panchayat of Mahore in Reasi. Moreover, the High Court directed Commissioner/ Secretary, Forest Department, DFO Dharmari, XEn Reasi, IGP Jammu, SSP Reasi, DC Reasi, J&K Pollution Control Board to commence action for violations as provided under law and report compliance by next date.
These significant directions were passed by Justice Janak Raj Kotwal in a writ petition filed by one Roshan Din, son of Majid Malik of village Bagga Tehsil Mahore through Advocate Aseem Sawhney with Advocate Mohd Akram.
High Court observed that the case being demonstrated on the strength of annexures to the writ petition by Advocate Aseem Sawhney is that three saw mills have been illegally established in Bagga Panchayat by Constable Manzoor Ahmed, son of Abdul Rehman, Abdul Hamid and Zia Ul Haq and no action has been taken by concerned authorities.
Advocate Sawhney relied upon report of Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Mahore dated 18.11.2015 to the Senior Superintendent of Police Reasi on the complaint of the petitioner. It is stated that these saw mills have been established illegally and even Forest Range Officer is aware of this illegality. The SDPO has recommended appropriate action against the wrong doers.
On hearing these submissions, the Court observed “case for indulgence is made out”. Accordingly, two weeks’ notice to the respondents in the main petition as well as MP was issued and as ad interim relief the DFO Dharmari was directed to seal the three saw mills and other respondents were directed to commence action under law.
Follow our WhatsApp channel