| HC directs DFO, DC & Ors to commence action against "Green Gold Smugglers", conniving officials | | Directs sealing of 3 sawmills | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 24: High court judge Janak Raj Kotwal has directed DFO, Sub Division, Dharmari, to seal three saw mills in Bagga panchayat of Mahore, Reasi, if no license was issued.
He also directed respondents, including forest secretary, , DFO, Dharmari, XEn, Reasi, IGP, Jammu, SSP, Reasi, DC, Reasi, and J&K Pollution Control Board to commence action for violations as provided under law and report compliance to the court by next date.
The court directive came in a petition filed by a Bagga resident. The court observed that the case being demonstrated in the petition was that three sawmills had been illegally established in Bagga panchayat allegedly by cop Manzoor Ahmed, son of Abdul Rehman, Abdul Hamid and Zia Ul Haq and no action had been taken by the authorities concerned.
It was submitted that these sawmills were established illegally and no electricity connections had been obtained legally and even the concerned Forest Range Officer was aware of this illegality. The SDPO had recommended appropriate action against the wrong doers.
After hearing the petitioner's counsel, the court observed that a 'Case for Indulgence' was made out.
Manzoor, who was posted at Chasana police station, had the backing of an ex-minister. He was alleged to be involved in the illegal felling of Green Gold. The counsel alleged that the cop, his brothers and some officers of forest department and PDD were felling green trees, smuggling wooden logs and illegally running the sawmills.
He alleged that since Manzoor was hand-in-glove with the range officer of the area and other officers of forest department, no action had been taken against him despite complaints made against him to senior officers.
SSP, Reasi, forwarded the petitioner's complaint to SDPO, Mahore, who conducted a detailed inquiry and vide his November 18, 2015 report, concluded that illegal saw mill had been established by cop Manzoor, Abdul Hamid and Zia Ul Haq.
He concluded that there was theft of electricity and Range Officer Sajad Badal and other officers, including forest guards, were allegedly involved in timber smuggling racket. "Forest Protection Force officials are also involved in this racket as they help and facilitate the felling of green trees. This racket is going on for the last 2-3 years without any check," SDPO's report alleged, making several recommendations to the SSP, Reasi, like action under J&K Forest Act, action for theft of electricity and booking of Sajad Badal, forest guards and FPF officials in criminal cases and constitution of an SIT into the matter after registration of FIR.
The counsel alleged that despite the conclusive police findings, no action had been taken in the matter due to extraneous considerations and political pressure. —JNF |
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