Excelsior Correspondent
BATOTE, Dec 16: The Forest officials team from Batote Forest Division seized a truck with 4000 willow clefts being smuggled to UP from Kashmir.
Official sources said that the Forest team during routine checking at Forest check post Patnitop last evening led by Range Officer Surinder Singh Chib, along with other staff, intercepted a vehicle bearing registration No 8903/PB 11AS, loaded with unfinished illicit willow clefts approximately 4000 in number and concealed under the apple boxes.
Under the directions of DFO Batote, Zahid Aslam Moghal, the Forest team seized vehicle along with willow clefts and held its operators. The consignment was being illegally transported outside the State and found hidden under the fruit boxes filled with rotten apples and saw dust. It was being carried from Srinagar to Meerut (UP).
During the seizure driver of the vehicle namely Puran Singh, son of Jarman Singh, resident of Palasi in tehsil Basohli, district Kathua was arrested on spot and a case for the violation of section-3 of Jammu and Kashmir Willow (Prohibition on Export Movement) Act, 2000 has been registered. The confiscation proceedings in respect of seized vehicle / willow clefts stands initiated by the authorized officer, Batote Forest Division.
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