RED SANDALWOOD PIECES SEIZED AT WEE HOURS BY GPT FOREST DEPT.

Bhagabat Padhi,Odishabarta

Paralakhemundi: Another intensified raid done by Gajapati Forest department to seize red sandalwoods.

With a prior information received to DFO Gajapati, Sangramkeshari Behera, from unknown, regarding transportation of red sandalwoods, immediately he instructed both Mahendragiri and Devagiri Range officials to check and cordon all movement at Paralakhemundi to RUdayagiri state highway. Accordingly on yesterday midnight at Banjeri junction both staff of 2 ranges caught red handily an auto with 2 persons. Inside that auto 3 pieces of red sandalwoods weighed 2.5 quintals.Biraj Anrop (30) and Venkatesh Misal (28) of Rayagada block of Gajapati taken to custody. On interrogation it was found they were about to transport to nearest Andhra border.

Indeed red sandal is used as herbal medicine and origin at tribal blocks like Gumma, Rayagada, Nuagada, RUdayagiri and Mohana blocks of Gajapati district.

This too has high values being a medicinal plant & years together such red tapism theft continued by whisking away from Cops eyes & quite casual as dare devil venture since years together. Gradually such valuable item is reducing due to regular theft by goons in the district. Even  at Tehsildar quarter of RUdayagiri of Gajapati dstrict,which is heart of block head quarter, too, plundered those stems of sandalwood in past.

Range Officer of Mahendragiri Kabani Paricha and that of Devagiri,Arun Kumar Patnaik  with their team had a daunting task yesterday night to seize such high value materials. Enquiry is going on.