Chatra police, while taking action against illegal wood smuggling, seized a tractor loaded with 24 tonnes of wood. The wood was being cut from Manatu forest and taken to Bihar. The driver absconded, while the police is busy searching for the smugglers.
Chatra: In Chatra district of Jharkhand, the police took major action against illegal wood smuggling and seized a tractor laden with 24 wooden boats. This wood was allegedly being illegally cut from the forests and taken to Bihar. After this action of the police, there has been a stir among the forest mafias and smugglers operating in the area.
According to police officials, this action was taken on the basis of secret information. Information was received that some smugglers were preparing to cut wood illegally from the forest area and transport it to the Bihar border. After this, on the instructions of senior officers, a special team was formed and a planned raid operation was conducted.
Surveillance started after secret information
Chatra Police had been receiving complaints of increasing illegal felling in the forests in recent times. Local sources had informed the police that some organized gangs were cutting wood from the forests at night and supplying it to neighboring states.
Taking the information seriously, a special raid team was formed under the leadership of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer on the instructions of the Superintendent of Police. The team was instructed to keep vigil on possible smuggling routes.
Police started checking the vehicles by blocking Raharia Chowk and surrounding areas. Officials believed that smugglers would take advantage of the darkness of the night and try to transport the consignment of wood to the Bihar border.
Seeing the police, the driver ran towards the fields
Late night the police team spotted a suspicious blue colored ‘ACE’ tractor near Raharia Chowk. When the activities of the tractor seemed suspicious, the police signaled the driver to stop.
However, on seeing the police, the driver got scared and removed the tractor from the main road and turned it towards the fields. The police team chased him, but the driver and his companions took advantage of the darkness and fled towards the forest.
After this, the police seized the tractor and searched it. During investigation, a large quantity of wood was found loaded in the trolley.
24 bottles of illegal wood found in trolley
Police investigation revealed that 24 big boxes were loaded with wood in the tractor trolley. According to preliminary investigation, this wood was illegally cut from Manatu forest area of Jharkhand.
Officials say that the aim of the smugglers was to transport this wood to Salaiya area of Bihar border and sell it in the illegal market. The value of the seized wood is estimated to be lakhs of rupees.
Police have also seized an unregistered tractor. The engine number of the vehicle is stated to be C490BT11161337. Both the wood and the vehicle have been kept in police custody as per legal process.
Big loss is being caused to forest wealth
According to experts, illegal logging in the forests of Jharkhand has been a serious problem for a long time. Wood mafias enter the forests at night and cut valuable trees and then sell them at high prices in neighboring states.
Such activities not only harm the environment but also increase the threat to the natural habitat of wildlife. Due to continuous illegal logging, green cover is decreasing rapidly in many areas.
Environmental experts believe that if strict action is not taken against such gangs in time, the condition of the forests may become more serious in the coming years.
Case registered against tractor owner and driver
In this case, case number 42/2026 has been registered in Pratappur police station. Police have registered an FIR against tractor owner Ramvishun Yadav and unknown driver under various sections of the Indian Justice Code and the Indian Forest Act.
Police officials said that continuous raids are being conducted to identify and arrest the accused. Efforts are also being made to find out who else is involved in this smuggling network.
Signs of strictness on forest mafia
Chatra Police has made it clear that strict action will continue against those involved in smuggling of forest wealth. The administration said that protection of natural resources is the priority of the government and illegal felling of forests will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Police officials have also appealed to the local people to immediately inform the administration if they see suspicious activities in the forests. Officials believe that forest crimes can be effectively controlled only with the cooperation of common citizens.
Increased surveillance in the area
After this incident, the police and forest department have increased surveillance on the border areas and forest routes. Additional patrolling has been started in many sensitive areas to keep an eye on the activities of smugglers.
Police say that a plan is being made to identify the gangs involved in illegal timber trade and destroy their entire network. The recent action is being considered a major success of this campaign.
This action taken in Chatra has once again proved that the administration is now taking a stricter stance than before against forest smuggling. However, it is considered extremely important to continue such actions for environmental protection.
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