Sonamura, Nov 17 (TIWN): In a joint raid conducted under the joint leadership of the SDM Sonamura, Subhasis Das, the Additional DFO Sadar, Subrata Das, and the Coy Commander of Dhanpur BOP of 29 Battalion BSF, an illegal Saw Mill together with huge quantum of wooden logs and sawn timber were seized today in Bejimara S.C. Colony, merely 3 km from the Sonamura town. Based on a secret tip-off, the raid was planned in advance jointly by the Sonamura Sub-Divisional Administration and Sadar Forest Division, and was meticulously executed today between 1.30 pm and 4 pm, spanning two and half hours.

During the course of the raid, an unlicensed illegal sawing machine worth Rs.2.00 lakh, and a generator set worth Rs.80000.00 were recovered. Besides, round timber logs of about 100 cubic feet and also an equal amount of sawn and sized timber were also recovered from the spot, which have an estimated market-value of about Rs.1.20 lakh. Collectively, the articles seized today during the raid are valued at Rs.4.00 lakh. Although nobody could be arrested, but an investigation has been launched to identify the operatives associated with the illegal saw mill. It may be mentioned that off and on, complaints are received about cutting down of precious forest and other valuable trees from jungles and forest areas, that is playing havoc with delicate ecological balance due to depletion of natural woods and forest coverage. In the last few months, 4 such illegal saw mills have been detected and seized in Sonamura Sub-Division.

It is apprehended that an organized and influential racket is active in such illegal business of timber. Surprisingly, the saw mill raided today was operational only at a short distance from Sonamura town that smacks of complicity of certain insiders in the illegal business. Today’s operation has dealt a severe blow to the unscrupulous timber mafia, making it panicky in undertaking such illegal business in the Sub-Division. Today’s raid marked another fruitful outcome of the coordinated and concerted effort of the Administration and Security Agencies to thwart the muscle and money power of organized mafia gangs in the Sub-Division.            

Illegal saw mill business busted by joint team of SDM Sonamura, BSF, Police joint raid. Sonamura. TIWN Pic Nov 17