Forest officers suspended

Recently one timber smuggling racket is busted by Police in Nizamabad dist. In which teak timber illegally felled in Adilabad district, are transported and cutting is done in saw mills located in Nizamabad. In this connection police has seized one vehicle, along with one escort car, with 6 accused at Nirmal. On investigation the accused are admitted that one Forester and one daily wage check post worker has been assisting them.In the said illegal business one S I from Nizamabad also is reported to be involved. Police has arrested the check post watcher, and Forester by name Rajender is absconding, police is trying to arrest him. The forest dept already suspended him. As per the statement given by the accused, they were supplying timber to 4 saw mills located at Nizamabad which includes one belonging to Deputy Mayor of Municipal Corporation. The forest dept has verified all the records and stock of timber in all 4 saw Mills. And all 4 are seized by forest dept. On further enquiry it was found that alert was received in the month of May 2018 about suspected illegal activities of some saw mills at Nizamabad. On further enquiry it was found that FDO Nizamabad and his subordinates have not investigated the complaints received last year in detail. Had they investigated in 2018, all illegal activities would have come to light and further damage could have been avoided. Keeping their gross negligence in to consideration in their failure to supervise the saw mills, the forest Dept have placed under suspension all the connected officers which includes…
T. VenuBabu Forest Divisional Officer, Nizamabad,
B. Ram Mohan Forest Range Officer Nizamabad North Range and
A. Srinivas Dy. Range Officer Nizamabad suspended with immediate effect
This is the first time senior level forest officer of FDO level has suspended.
The Honorable Chief Minister has already issued directions to forest dept, to take Stern action against forest officers irrespective of his rank or position if he found involved or neglected in his primary duty of protecting the forest and wildlife. Altogether 8 Forest staff and officers are suspended in last two weeks, and 4 have been arrested also by the police.