5 held for illegal extraction of forest wood in Kishtwar

Jammu, Jan 7: Kishtwar Police, in a proactive move to combat illegal activities threatening natural resources, Sunday intercepted and apprehended five persons involved in the unauthorized extraction of forest wood.

A police spokesperson said that a team of Kishtwar police from Police Station Atholi, led by SHO Atholi Inspector Vikram Parihar, established a special naka near Sheetla Mata Mandir Gulabgarh.

During naka duty, the police team stopped a Scorpio, bearing registration number JK-17-5431, travelling from Sohal towards Gulabgrah. During the checking of the vehicle, the police recovered two sacks and three Pithu (rucksack) bags loaded with forest produce, specifically 135 Acer-like tree knots numbering 135. Police arrested 5 persons on the spot and seized the vehicle.

During questioning, these accused disclosed their identities as Nawang Sentam, son of Subash Chander, resident of Kabban Paddar; Mahaver, son of Jayander Singh, resident of Uttarkashi; Kshitij Bhutani, son of Lokesh Bhutani, resident of Delhi; Sagar Tamang, son of Angdak Tamang, resident of Nepal, at present Dehradun, Uttarakhand and Gan Magar, son of Bakil Magar, resident of Nepal, at present Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

“In this regard, police have taken cognizance of the matter and registered case FIR No. 02/2024 under the relevant sections of the law at Police Station Atholi and investigation taken up,” the spokesperson said.

He said that Kishtwar police appealed to the public, urging cooperation and vigilance in their respective areas by providing information on suspicious activities as it was crucial for taking timely action against those involved in such misdeeds.