JAMMU, Apr 23: A Beat Guard has been suspended after a vehicle carrying illegal deodar timber was seized in the Bhadarwah area of Doda district, officials said.
Acting on specific input, a joint team of the Forest Protection Force and territorial staff of Neru Range intercepted a TATA Mobile vehicle (JK02B-6463) loaded with 20 deodar green scants measuring 54.44 cft during the intervening night of April 21 and 22 at village Jalga in Compartment 3/N.
During the operation, officials said the in-charge Beat Guard of Jai 2nd beat, Mushtaq Ahmed Batt, was found moving on the same route in his personal vehicle. A mechanical cutter packed in a bag was also recovered from his possession.
The source of the seized timber is yet to be ascertained, with investigations underway to determine whether it was extracted from Chiralla or Neru Range.
Pending inquiry, the Beat Guard has been placed under suspension with immediate effect and attached to the Divisional Forest Office, Bhadarwah.
A detailed probe has been ordered to trace the origin of the timber, fix responsibility, and submit a report within a week, officials added. (Agencies)
