 Asif Iqbal Naik
kishtwar, Oct 12: In Paddar area of Kishtwar, police seized a truck load of timber and handed it over to forest officials but the latter allegedly released it without taking any legal action in the case.
Official sources said on the basis of information provided by locals, Paddar police seized a truck (JK17/1354) loaded with illegally cut timber at Gulabgarh a few days back and handed it over to the forest officials.
However, instead of taking a legal action against truck owner Shardev Singh and co-accused Sharvan Kumar, both alleged to be timber smugglers , the forest officials allegedly released the truck and let them go scot free, the sources added.
Sharvan is said to be a government school teacher. The accused continue to roam freely in Paddar areas. Local people informed Early Times that they had also brought the matter to the notice of DFO, Kishtwar. Though he assured action against the culprits, nothing had been done so far.
In another incident, Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Kishtwar, caught some ponywalas while they were selling green timber in Kishtwar town. The timber, which was loaded on 14 ponies, was also seized.
He brought the matter to the notice of Conservator of Forest, Chenab circle, and also to the notice of DFO, Kishtwar, but no one came to the spot.
When contacted, Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, said that he had directed DFO, Kishtwar, to look into the matter, but he did not act.
The DFO tried to distance himself from the issue by saying that he was in the meeting. "I am in meeting right now. I have deputed some staff members to look into the matter," said DFO Rakesh Kumar.
It is worthwhile to mention here that ponywalas first enter forests and then in a well planned manner cut green trees which are left there till they dry up. These are later cut into pieces and sold in the open market. Some forest officials were alleged to be promoting this activity. |
