Logs seized
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 20 2017: After two truck-loads of timber (Khangra) were seized from near Khabam Matai Garden yesterday, Deputy Ranger Beat Officer of Molnoi Forest Beat Office, Chandel Forest Division has been placed under suspension.

Moreover, it is reported that the Chandel District Forest Officer (DFO) would be transferred elsewhere for his failure to supervise his sub-ordinate officers.

The two truck-loads of timber were seized by a team led by Central Forest Division, Mantripukhri DFO L Joykumar from near Khabam Matai Garden at around 8 pm yesterday.

The trucks were heading toward Dimapur from Khudengthabi and the logs belong to one RH Livingstone of Karong.

The suspended Deputy Ranger Beat Officer has been identified as Md Altaf Ali Khan.

The suspension order by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest directed Md Altaf Ali Khan to station himself at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Chandel Forest Division during the period of suspension.

Meanwhile, Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar today inspected the seized logs and the trucks at Central Forest Division, Range Forest Office, Mantripukhri where the drivers are also detained.

Speaking to media persons at Mantripukhri, Shyamkumar stated that stringent actions would be initiated against all officials involved in wrongdoings without giving any warning.

A secret team of Forest Department would be set up to conduct surprise visits at forest check-posts.

If all the officials of Forest Department perform their duties sincerely and diligently, the department can accrue around Rs one crore to the State exchequer annually apart from facilitating protection of forest and environment, Shyamkumar said.

He also announced that a forest protection force would be set up to check burning forest areas.

Later, the Minister inspected Iroishemba Forest Beat Office and Keithelmanbi Forest Beat Office.

At Keithelmanbi, he enquired about non-issuance of transit passes to trucks transporting stones and sand.

He advocated that issuance of transit passes to trucks carrying sands and stones would help the department earn more revenue.

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