Dhankuta, June 6

Personnel of Mulghat Armed Police Post Dhankuta seized sal timber being illegally transported in a truck belonging to APF Arun Battalion, Sankhuwasabham on Monday night.

Mulghat APF In-charge Inspector Durga Bhatta said they seized more than 100 cubic feet of sal timber during checking.

Federation of Community Forest Users Sankhuvasabha Chairperson Badri Sapkota said that they had forged understanding to send 50 cubic feet chilaune timber from Ahale Sisne Community Forest for construction of a building of APF Arun Battalion but more than 100 cubic feet sal timber was seized.

The market price of the seized timber is around Rs 700,000. A probe panel headed by APF Eastern Headquarters Pakali SP Gunakhar Khanal has been formed. After the incident came to light, Arun Battalion APF DSP Bhandari has been summoned to Pakali-based headquarters for interrogation.

District Forest Office Dhankuta Chief Sri Krishna Osti expressed ignorance about the seizure of the timber. However, Federation of Community Forestry Users Dhankuta representative Rajendra Khadka said that he had informed the district forest office after he learnt about timber smuggling. He said the police post should hand over the timer to District Forest Office Dhankuta. Federation of Community Forestry Users Dhankuta has condemned illegal felling and smuggling of timber.