Imphal, May 20 (EMN): Forest and Environment Minister Th. Shyamkumar on Saturday came down heavily against department official following seizure of two trucks, loaded with logs last night. The department suspended Md. Altaf Ali Khan, Deputy Ranger, Beat Officer of Molnoi Forest Beat Office, Chandel Forest Division with immediate effect from May 20 for dereliction of duties. During the period under suspension, the headquarter of Md. Altaf Ali Khan shall continue to be the Divisional Forest Officer’s Office, Chandel Forest Division, according to a suspension order by Kereilhouvi Angami, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Head of Forest Force Department.
Speaking to media persons at Central Forest Division, Range Forest Office at Mantriphukhri, Minister Shyamkumar said that, a team led by DFO Central Forest Division, L. Joykumar seized two truckload of logs at the Matai Garden, Khabam last night at around 8 pm. Lauding the team for the timely action, he said that, the trucks were brought from Khudengthabi in Chandel District to Imphal without submitting proper documents. He added that, Md. Altaf Ali Khan issued hammer marks (a clearance sign from the Forest Department) on the logs which were to be issued from the department’s Moreh Range Office. The two trucks easily crossed various entry posts with the help of the hammer marks without submitting proper documents at various entry posts. The trucks crossed Khudengthabi Army Post, Tengnoupal Army Post, Tengnoupal Police Post, Tengnoupal Forest Post,Molnoi Forest Office Post, Pallel Police Station Post, Kakching Forest Office Post, Thoubal Forest Office Post, Thoubal Haokha Range Post, Lilong Police Station Post, Singjamei Police Station Post and reached Khabam in Imphal East.
The Minister said that, the department is conducting continuous drive to stop illegal activities which is hindering in the revenue collection. He said that, if the department officials sincerely perform their duties then the set revenue target of Rs 100 crore annually can be easily achieved.
