Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 19: The Forest staff in Rajouri Division, assisted by Forest Protection Force (FPF) men and police, today foiled an attempt of some influential people to construct a road illegally on forest land in Kalakote area last night and seized two JCBs.
Official sources said that Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Rajouri, Dr Arsh Deep Singh, received information last evening about illegal digging of forest land in Dhanwan-Dalyot area of Kalakote Forest Range by some people using JCBs. He directed Range Officer, Kalakote Sanjiv Kumar to carry out operation.
The Forest team assisted by FPF and police men organized a joint operation during last night and seized two JCBs. Despite initial resistance from some villagers and people on the spot, the team completed its operation smoothly and brought the machines to Range office, Kalakote. It was initially discovered from the local field staff that this work was being initiated on the behest of one Abdul Qayoom, son of Abdul Khaliq of Dhanwan village in Kalakote.
Conservator of Forests, Jammu West Circle- Rajouri-Poonch-Reasi, B Mohan Dass when contacted said that concerned Range Officer has been dierected to proceed for confiscation proceedings in the matter under J&K Forest Act U/S 26 (h)of IFA 1929. He said SSP Rajouri Chandan Kohli was requested for providing police assistance. They both were closely monitoring the operation from the headquarters, he added.
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