BJP Leaders Accuse Himachal Government of Shielding Culprits in Shillai Tree Felling Incident
State BJP president Dr Rajeev Bindal has launched a sharp attack on the Himachal Pradesh government, accusing it of shielding those responsible for the illegal felling of hundreds of pine trees in the Shillai Assembly constituency of Sirmaur district. Addressing a press conference in Nahan on Monday, Bindal described the incident as a serious environmental and administrative lapse, alleging that the scale of the operation suggests protection from individuals in power.
Details of the Alleged Illegal Felling
According to Bindal, the pine trees were cut in broad daylight on March 5 using a saw machine. Photographs and videos of the activity quickly surfaced on social media, yet he claimed that authorities failed to take immediate action on the same day. He expressed concern that despite the widespread circulation of visual evidence, no prompt measures were initiated to address the violation.
Bindal further stated that some individuals appeared on social media the following day, admitting to cutting the trees. They reportedly claimed to possess permission to fell 25 trees while asserting that approval for the remaining trees was under process. The BJP raised the issue immediately, questioning the rationale behind such large-scale felling during daytime hours.
FIR Registration and Investigation Concerns
An FIR was registered late on March 6 night, mentioning that approximately 307 pine trees had been felled. Officials reportedly indicated that the exact number could not be confirmed at the time due to darkness during the inspection. Bindal expressed surprise that the count has still not been revised or verified beyond this initial figure, raising doubts about the thoroughness of the investigation.
He also criticized the Congress party for allegedly attempting to link the issue with the BJP, stating that if any worker of his party was involved, the government should arrest them and initiate legal action. Bindal pointed out that the permission granted for cutting 25 trees had reportedly expired on February 25, yet large-scale felling was carried out after that date. He questioned the basis on which permission for felling 25 trees was granted, noting that ordinary citizens often struggle to obtain approval even for cutting a few trees.
Political Support and Demands for Action
Sukhram Chaudhary, MLA from Paonta Sahib, Reena Kashyap, MLA from Pachhad, and former Shillai MLA Baldev Singh Tomar, who were also present at the press conference, expressed deep concern over the incident. They demanded an impartial investigation and warned that if strict action is not taken against the culprits, the BJP will launch a statewide agitation to address the issue.
The BJP leaders emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in handling environmental violations, urging the government to ensure that justice is served without any political bias. The incident has sparked significant debate over forest conservation and administrative efficiency in Himachal Pradesh.
