Haul of Red Sander logs from ex-MLA's house
Estimated worth of the seizure put at Rs 3 cr
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 03 2012:
In a major success of Imphal West District Police, logs of Red Sander Wood worth around Rs 3 crore in international market were seized from the house of Ex MLA Salam Joy today morning.
The valuable woods were supposed to be smuggled into China through Myanmar.
It is said that Red Sander Woods are best for making butt of rifles and there is great demand for these woods in China.
Acting on specific information, a team of Imphal West District Police led by Inspector K Ranjit of Special Intelligence Unit (SIU) conducted a raid and seized 512 Red Sander Wood pieces from the outhouse of Ex MLA Salam Joy at Samurou Awang Leikai under Wangoi A/C.The seizures have been deposited at Imphal West District Police Complex here.
It is said that soon after the woods were seized, two non-Manipuris approached the SIU Inspector and tried to bribe him by offering a handsome amount for releasing the woods.
Police arrested the two non-Manipuris who are later identified as Arif Khan (55) and Anand Prasad.
Arif Khan is originally from Andhra Pradesh but presently living in Tamil Nadu while Anand Prasad is living at Mantripukhri.
Upon interrogation, it was revealed that Arif Khan is the owner of the woods while Anand Prasad helps the former in smuggling the woods to China through Moreh and Myanmar.
According to a statement issued by Imphal West SP, Jayanta, the seized Red Sander Woods would be handed over to State Forest Department for further necessary actions.
Police sources said that the woods reached Imphal in August from Andhra Pradesh.
They were brought by bribing police and check posts on the way to Imphal.
However, police do not have any clue how the said woods landed at the outhouse of Ex MLA Salam Joy or whether the Ex MLA is involved in the illegal trade.
Police is likely to interrogate the Ex MLA tomorrow.
Red Sander Wood is a rare type of wood found in some South Indian states but not suitable with the soil of North East region.
Police sources have suspected possible involvement of high profile persons in the trade as the consignment has successfully reached all the way from Andhra Pradesh to Imphal crossing all the police check posts.
Mention may be made here that there were many instances where Red Sander Woods have been seized in Manipur in the past but taking up proper legal actions against the traders is rare.