Shopian, June 27: Forest department of Shopian district came into full swing, started massive drive against smugglers and forest law abusers with in the district. The department came into action after two employees were suspended by Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Dr Owais Ahmed. During the intervening night a team of officials on directions of Divisional Forest Officer, Muhammad Shafi Sheikh, laid a Naka near Rajpora on a specific information and succeeded in apprehending a Tata mobile vehicle loaded with illicit timber along with two suspects namely Manzoor Ahmed Bhat, a sawmill owner of Village parigam of Kakapora Range and Showkat Ahmed Sofi of Dooniwara Chadoora, District Budgam.
A case has been registered in police station Rajpora and culprits have been handed over to police.The departmental investigation has been initiated and source of timber is being ascertained.
The move came just a day after DC Shopian adopted a tough stance against illegal timber smuggling and green felling in the district. Meanwhile DFO Shopian said that his department in collaboration with district administration is fully prepared for tackling the smuggling of forest wood and green trees. He added that a massive operation has been launched to tackle the menace.
