Odisha Maoists warn timber mafia against felling trees

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Koraput, Aug 3:

Maoists in Odisha’s Koraput district have warned the timber mafia against felling of trees by putting up posters to this effect.

But the move appears to have been prompted less by the outlawed party’s love for the green cover and more by their crucial need for self-protection.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Awinash Kumar said posters put up by Maoists alleging indiscriminate felling of trees by the timber mafia in connivance with officials in Lamtaput forest range have been seized by the police at several places in Lamtaput area..

A Maoist banner put up at Gunaipada on Saturday read; “We have asked them to stop their illegal activities, failing which they will be punished. Forest officials, who are hand in gloves with the timber mafia, will also be taken to task”.

While asking the local tribal people not to fell trees, the Maoists have also alleged that the people were being harassed by security men and warned of retaliation.

The depleting forest cover has become a major concern for the ultras as without the thick forest cover they are finding it difficult to hide and organise camps, the Koraput SP said.

“Our men are on high alert and all required security arrangements are in place to prevent any untoward incident”, he added