Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Apr 26: Unearthing a nexus of Government officials and locals involved in timber smuggling and cutting of green gold, a special squad of Forest Department and police has seized more than 1600 cubic feet of timber and also suspended some departmental employees found involved in the smuggling.
A mass level combing operation has been launched in the area to unearth this deep rooted nexus and operation was still going on till the last reports came in.
Acting on specific complaints about mass level illegal smuggling of green gold from forest area of Mahore sub division of Reasi and bordering Reasi and Rajouri districts, a special squad led by DFO Mahore Sajid Sultan and comprising of two other DFOs from Jammu, was constituted, which along with a special team of police under the supervision of SDPO Mahore, Ayaz Sheikh, conducted raids in the area today during which more than 1600 Cubic Feet of timber was seized. The smuggled timber was seized in the area of Mahore sub division bordering Rajouri and Reasi and in the forest belts of Gool, Girdhan Top and other nearby areas.
Taking cognizance of locals’ complaints and apparent involvement of forest officials in the timber smuggling, DFO Mahore Sajid Sultan has ordered suspension of Forest Guard of the area whereas senior officer of Forest Protection Force has been attached to Reasi while show cause notice has been served to Forester and Range Officer.
When contacted DFO Mahore, Mohammad Sajid Sultan, confirmed the whole matter and said that more than 1600 Cft of timber has been seized so far and combing operation in 60 km area was going on with the help of police. He also confirmed that action has been taken against the officials of Forest Department posted in the area. The ongoing operation will continue until whole area is cleared and this deep rooted timber smuggling nexus in unearthed completely, he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that a major timber smuggling bid in the same area was unearthed few months ago and more than one thousand wooden sleepers were seized.
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