Forest team attacked during timber seizure in Chamba

A Forest Department patrol team came under attack from unidentified miscreants in the Chhatri area of Chamba district on Sunday night while transporting seized timber, officials said on Monday.

Divisional Forest Officer Kritagya Kumar said the team was conducting a routine night patrol when it recovered 12 deodar sleepers under suspicious circumstances near Saluhi Nalla. The timber was seized under provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and one individual was apprehended while allegedly transporting the sleepers. A forest offence report has been registered and legal proceedings initiated against him.

However, as the team was transporting the seized timber to the Masroond Range Office, miscreants pelted stones from an elevated position, damaging a government vehicle and disrupting official work. The department sought police assistance for safe evacuation. Due to the darkness, the identities of the attackers could not be established at the time.

On Monday, the Range Forest Officer, Masroond, lodged a formal complaint at the local police station against the unidentified persons. An FIR has been registered and investigation is underway.