Heavy vehicles impounded, 7 arrested for excavating earth
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 17 2020:
A team of police and forest officials led by Officer-in-charge of Sagolmang Police Station, Range Officer, Nongmaiching and Range Officer Sawombung impounded two JCBs, five tippers and arrested seven individuals for excavating earth from areas under Sambei Purum Reserved Forest Area.
Speaking to media persons, one of the forest officials said that similar cases had happened in the past despite repeated appeals from the Forest Department not to dig out earth from reserved areas.
Apart from it being a punishable act under Section 26 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, excavating earth in any parts of the State without due approval of the authority is prohibited by Manipur High Court, the officials continued.
A case has been registered against the arrested individuals at Pangei Forest Beat Office for legal proceedings.