Hyderabad: Illegal timber-smuggling activities in Nizamabad district of Telangana have been busted and three forest department officials have been suspended in connection with it on Thursday.
According to a press release, teak timber procured in Adilabad district was being illegally transported and sent to saw mills in neighbouring Nizamabad district. The police recently seized a vehicle, along with an escort car, in this connection.
The six accused, who were reportedly held near Adilabad, admitted that one forester and a daily wage worker of a checkpost have been assisting them, the latter too has since been arrested.
The release alleged that further inquiry revealed that an alert about the illegal activities of some saw mills in Nizamabad was received in 2018 but the forest division officer and his colleagues did not properly probe into the matter
The report added that the forest department has sealed the four saw mills located at Nizamabad and three officials have since been suspended in view of their gross negligence. The press release also added that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had recently issued directions to take stern action against forest officials if found involved or negligent in protecting the forest and wildlife.