Post News Network
Bolangir, March 15: Forest department personnel claimed to have busted an inter-state timber smuggling gang that has been active in the district for some time and arrested nine of its members, including two saw millers, in this connection.
They were identified as saw millers Ghanashyam Dandasena and Bichitra Singh Koura, Deenabandhu Sa, Peetambar Sahu, Sadhu Thela, Bhismadeba Sahu, Saroj Khamari, Gobardhan Sahu and Amar Budek. All the accused were produced in a court in Loisingha Saturday, forest
department sources said.
They were later sent to a jail after the court rejected their bail applications. Sources said forest officials had received secret information about thriving of an inter-state timber smuggling gang in Phatamunda village under Agalpur block. Acting on a tip-off, a team of forest
department officials raided the village Thursday night and arrested the nine
persons.
After the raid, forest officials seized timber worth lakhs of rupees and other equipment. Bolangir DFO Rashmi Ranjan Naik said they are investigating
involvement of other persons in timber smuggling, if any.