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Forest loot continues in Rafiabad 3/16/2015 11:24:57 PM S Tahir-Ul- Haq Early Times Report BARAMULLA, Mar 16 : The wanton loot of forests continues unabated in Rafiabad Thesil of Baramulla district in North Kashmir. Timber smugglers had chopped off scores of green trees in nexus with forest department, however two forest official accused of conspiring with smugglers were suspended after police claimed seizure of illegal timber on Monday. According to official sources, "The timber smugglers had dumped large quantity of forest timber in Rafiabad Thesil of Baramulla district, we were informed by some locals of the Kutrie Naribal that green forests were chopped off by timber smugglers in broad day light and due to callous attitude of forest department the smugglers were roaming freely in an area. The action came after a police party led by Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rafiabad Wajahat Hussain seized huge quantity of illegal timber in Kutrie Nallah compartment number 42 in Rafiabad, said official. Local residents of Shalkote Rafiabad telephoned early Times and said that, day in and out these timber smugglers are cutting trees. Due to callous attitude of forest department, it seems that the forest officials are hand in glove with timber smugglers. Smugglers chop off these trees during day time and transport it in the night on horse backs and carts to the nearby areas of Baramulla town and other adjoining areas to sell it to band saw mills owners, local alleged. Locals on anonymity conditions said that, "taking advantage of snow on upper reaches, the felling of trees and smuggling of timber is increasing enormously day by day. It seems that forest department is in a deep slumber and have given free hand to the timber smugglers, this is high time that government of Jammu and Kashmir should take serious action against those who are being found in smuggling of green gold, locals added. Early Times contacted SDPO Rafiabad Wajahat Hussain, he said that, after receiving specific inputs about the illegal timber smuggling, the police party led by the SDPO Rafiabad and SHO Panzalla G.M.Bhat raided the house of Hamidullha Mir S/O Abdul Jabbar Mir R/O Kutrie Naribal and recovered 10 feet of illegal timer and based on his disclosure, about 270 feet timber was recovered in the nearby Nallah. However police have registered a case under FIR number 9/2015 under section 6 of Forest Act, 10/2015 and started further investigations, official said. Meanwhile, Early Times have learnt from authoritative sources that soon after the seizure, the forest official including DFO Langat reached the spot and took stock of the situation. It is also learnt that forest conservator north Kashmir Mir Javid has suspended the two officials of forest department who have been found accused of conspiring with smugglers were identified as Farooq Ahmad and Ghulam Ahmad.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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