SHILLONG: Villagers of Upper Klew in Ri Bhoi district have reported rampant felling of trees in the area.
Learning of the incident, the CSWO conducted a spot inspection of the area and found saw mills operating at Mawblang village, under Raid Kyrdem, Ri-Bhoi besides logs lying all along the road leading to Upper Klew.
The CSWO said that it had earlier filed an FIR for illegal felling of trees on forest land in the Khapmara Police Outpost but the Police allegedly registered a case under section 107 CrPC denoting that people are likely to commit a breach of peace.
“How can village people who are reporting illegal felling of trees resort to breach of peace?” the CSWO questioned adding that it is a clear misrepresentation of facts.
The CSWO also urged the government to direct the police not to turn away complainants or mislead in the investigation of such cases.
Kharshiing urged upon the Autonomous District Councils and the Forest department to clamp down on the illegal felling of trees and converge with Police when reports are made in the better interest of protection of the State’s resources.