Major Timber Bust in Palamu District
In a significant crackdown on illegal timber trade, personnel from Rehla police station in Palamu district executed a major seizure operation on Saturday, confiscating a substantial quantity of valuable khair timber and apprehending three individuals connected to the illicit activity.
The Arrests and Seizure Details
The police operation led to the arrest of Guddu Pandey, Hasibullah Ansari, and Ranjit Mukhiya, who were allegedly involved in the transportation of the illegal timber consignment. According to Gulshan Birua, the officer-in-charge of Rehla police station, the authorities intercepted a 12-wheel truck bearing a Haryana registration number during the early hours of Saturday.
"While we successfully arrested three people involved in this illegal timber trade, the truck driver managed to escape from the scene," stated Birua, highlighting ongoing efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
High Market Value of Khair Timber
A forest official from the Medininagar forest division in Daltonganj revealed the significant economic value of the confiscated timber, noting that khair timber commands a price between Rs 65 and Rs 75 per kilogram in the market. The official further emphasized that "its price is nearly the same as the price of Kala Sheesham timber," indicating the premium nature of the seized wood.
The substantial quantity of timber recovered suggests the operation had potentially intercepted a consignment worth several lakhs of rupees, dealing a significant blow to illegal timber smuggling networks operating in the region.
Ongoing Investigations and Implications
This seizure represents a crucial achievement in the ongoing battle against forest crime in the region. The involvement of a vehicle registered in Haryana suggests possible inter-state timber smuggling operations, prompting authorities to widen their investigation to uncover the entire supply chain.
Forest department officials and police authorities are collaborating to determine the exact origin of the timber and identify other individuals involved in the smuggling network. The successful operation underscores the continued vigilance of law enforcement agencies in protecting forest resources and combating environmental crimes in Jharkhand.
