Shoot-at-sight order against smugglers

VELLORE/RAMANATHAPURAM: Collector Ajay Yadav has issued a shoot at sight order in the wake of frequent smuggling of red sanders from different forest areas in the district. The collector, who inspected areas in the Veethichettipalli Reserve Forest area in Gudiyattam from where several red sander trees were cut down by anti-social elements, gave the order to take down the wood smugglers.District Forest Officer of Vellore T V Manjunatha said they have booked 12 persons in five cases in the Arcot and Gudiyattam areas for indulging in illegal activities such as cutting and smuggling of the red sanders. “The Forest Department has also seized a total of 12 tonnes of red sanders worth several lakhs of rupees from them,” the DFO said. Commenting on the collector’s bold order, Manjunathan said, “It was very supportive and encouraging for the Forest Department to prevent illegal felling and smuggling of red sanders. I have the administrative powers to give orders to my personnel to open fire on smugglers inside the forest area, but not beyond the reserve forest area. The order from the Collector sends a clear message to the anti-social elements.”Meanwhile in Ramanathapuram a ‘Q’ branch team on Wednesday seized 75 logs of red sander from a boat at sea at Sangumal. Sources said that a ‘Q’ branch team during a surprise raid at Sangumal area spotted an outboard engine fitted country boat moving in a suspicious manner. The team after a thorough check found red sanders that was being to be smuggled to Lanka. However, the smugglers fled the spot. Officials  seized the logs worth `2 crore and the boat.