ADGP S Sreejith will lead a high-level investigation into the Muttil tree-felling case.
Thiruvananthapuram: A special team led by crime branch ADGP S Sreejith will investigate allegations of illegal tree cutting at Mutti. The government has issued an order naming Sreejith to lead the high-level team.
On Friday, the LDF government decided to launch a high-level investigation into the matter.
The allegations of illegal tree cutting will be investigated by a special team comprised of officials from the Crime Branch, the Forest Department, and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (VACB).
He promised strong action for those involved in the smuggling of timber worth crores of rupees.
Early this year, the trees were allegedly felled and smuggled from government-assigned lands in Muttil village, Wayanad district.
“We intend to conduct a high-level investigation into the matter. The investigation will be launched by a special team comprised of members of the Crime Branch, the Forest Department, and the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) “CM said”
Following criticism that the rosewood trees were looted under the guise of a State government order issued last year, the Chief Minister stated that the order was issued in response to requests from farmers’ organisations.
“This demand was raised by Idukki farmers. However, some people took advantage of the order, and we will take firm action against them “He stated. The decision to launch the high-level investigation came a day after Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar requested a report on the issue from Ministry officials and a BJP-NDA delegation led by Union Minister V Muraleedharan visited Muttil village.
Muraleedharan questioned Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi’s silence on the issue earlier today, saying no one knows if he has abandoned the constituency.
“Rahul Gandhi has not said anything about it so far, even though he is the sitting MP from here; nobody knows whether it is yet to be brought to his attention or if he has abandoned this constituency,” the Union Minister told reporters in Wayanad.
