Timber worth Rs. 2 lakh seized in Dholai

Forest officials seized timbers worth around Rs. 2 lakh from Singerkhal under Dholai constituency in Cachar district late on Tuesday night.

According to sources, a team comprising officials from Dholai, Hawaithang and Lailapur carried out an operation at Singerkhal, around 36km from Silchar, on Tuesday night on the basis of a tip-off and seized timbers worth around Rs. 2 lakh. The logs, which were around 100ft long, were found covered by banana leaves, sources said.

Dholai forest ranger Mujibur Rahman said a team has been formed to prevent felling of trees and stealing of timbers from Hawaithang forest range. The team includes beat officers, foresters and AFP jawans. Informers have been activated in different areas as well, he said.

Complaints on felling of trees and stealing of timbers by timber-smugglers in Hawaithang and nearby forest areas have poured in from time to time, especially in the past few months.

A forest official N. Malakar said the matter was being inquired and necessary action would be taken.