AGARTALA, April 21 (TIWN): Churaibari Police Personnel seized a vehicle loaded with illegally smuggled wooden logs and detained one smuggler from Chanpur forest range area on Sunday night.

 As part of regular exercise, a gang of pirates entered into the forest in Chanpur range under Churaibari police station and chopped off many expensive plants. Acting on a tip-off the Churaibari police station, a vast contingent of police and TSR jawans rushed to the forest.

 During the raid, police have seized a TATA Magic vehicle bearing number TR02-B-1762 loaded with 40-foot timber. A smuggler Manor Ali (20) was also booked in this regard. Later, the timber loaded vehicle was handed over to forest department, said police.

 It is to be mentioned here that the forests across the state are facing serious challenges due to illegal destruction, smuggling of timber and poor management by the concerned department.

According to policel sources, a gang of pirates is active at Churaibari forest division and is engaged in smuggling of valuable timbers illegally due to the negligence of forest officers.