TURA, May 14: In a major crackdown by the Phulbari Forest Range under the GHADC, at least six vehicles with illegal timbers, boulders along with sawing and stone quarrying machineries were seized in surprise raids in at least six places under the Phulbari PS in West Garo Hills.
The surprise raids and seizures were led by the Ranger of Phulbari and his team who while patrolling in the area found the vehicles carrying the illegal items. Further on more information of the source, raids were conducted at various locations in the villages of Selsella, Nagnipara and Babilgre, all within the Phulbari range.
Four vehicles carrying illegal timber (non sal logs) were apprehended, and in another case, a vehicle carrying boulders from an illegal quarry was caught. After raids at various illegal stone quarries, quarrying machineries were also seized.
The incident took place on Saturday.
Action against official
Meanwhile, two organisations from Zikzak in South West Garo Hills — GSMC and AHAM — have sought action against an official of the Forest department for allegedly releasing an illegal timber laden pick-up truck with no number plates which was seized and handed over a day earlier. The groups sought action against the Forester of Betasing Forest Beat Office in their complaint to the Range Forest Officer of Mahendraganj Range, where they demanded that legal action be taken against him.
According to the groups, the illegal timber-laden vehicle with no number plates was seized at around 9:30 pm on May 13 from near Jangnapara and later handed over in the presence of police to the Forest department. However, the seized vehicle went missing from the Forest beat Office on Sunday.
