Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 31 July 2025
In a decisive crackdown on illegal timber operations, the staff of Police Station Ograbraj seized a significant quantity of illegally sawn Padauk wood during a well-coordinated raid, following credible intelligence inputs.
On 23rd July 2025, acting swiftly on the information, a police team led by Inspector Stalin N.S., SHO, PS Ograbraj, and comprising SIs Mohammed Rafique, Sushanta Debnath, Vikas Yadav, HCs Ashok Roy, Tanveer Hassan, S. Vijay Kumar, Khokan Dutta, Cephas, and PCs Abubacker Siddique, Martin, Rakesh Halder, Rohan Lal, Jayanta Kumar Biswas, Mohd. Azad, Alinjor Ekka, Elaiza, Saied Meera, Rakesh Narayan, Vishal Panna, Bijender Gop, Prakash Halder, and Abdul Rahman, was immediately mobilised.
The team proceeded to a suspected illegal timber storage site located behind the Government Middle School, Ograbraj. Upon arrival, they discovered a securely locked tin-roofed structure. A preliminary inspection through visible gaps revealed a substantial stockpile of timber inside. In the presence of local Panchayat officials and in adherence to legal procedures, the team broke the lock open.
Inside the structure, the police discovered 4.08 CBM of illegally sawn Padauk timber along with tools suspected to be used in illegal logging activities. These included two high-powered chainsaws (Wood Cutter and Golden Bullet, both 3.1 HP) and a Makita-branded handheld circular saw.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the shed belonged to Mr. Shia Muddin, an ex-serviceman. The timber and equipment were seized on the spot under relevant provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and were handed over to the Forest Department for further legal proceedings.
The operation was conducted under the close supervision of Mr. Ajay Rai, DANIPS, SDPO Bambooflat, and overall supervision of Mr. Manoj Kumar Meena, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District.
The police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any illegal activities by contacting 100, 112, or 03192-250525. The identity of informants will be kept confidential.
