Bagdogra, 01st December: With the onset of winter, elephant invasion in residential areas has increased, leading forest officials to step up their monitoring efforts. Taking advantage of this, timber smugglers were caught cutting trees from the forest and smuggling the logs. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sanjit Roy, Sabuj Barman, Surat Barman, and Prakash Barman.
Acting on a tip-off, the Bagdogra Forest Department conducted a raid in Matigara and arrested four smugglers with timber worth ₹3 lakh. In addition to the timber, the forest department also seized a four-wheeler and a motorcycle used for transporting the illegal logs.
Ranger Sonam Bhutia confirmed the details, stating that the smugglers had been exploiting the forest’s busy season to steal timber and sell it at lower prices to furniture shops. The timber was being sold in several shops, including those in Shiv Mandir, Bagdogra, and Siliguri.
On Sunday, the four accused were presented in the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Court. The Bagdogra Forest Department has launched an investigation to identify other individuals involved in the smuggling ring.