Timber traders booked for violating permit

Mangaluru: The forest department has booked and fined timber merchants for violating permission given to fell trees . This development comes after the mysterious death of 39-year-old Rafique Ahmed, a resident of Sakleshpur , inside Perlampady forest, on Sunday.

According to N Subramanya Rao, RFO Puttur, the victim and others had taken permission from the forest department to cut a certain number of trees.

However, they violated the permission and felled 25 more trees. This came to light on Monday during an investigation. “The timber contractors violated the permission. We have seized the timber and fined them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rafique Ahmed’s death continues to be shrouded in mystery. According to police he was killed when a huge tree branch fell on his head. A case has been registered at Bellare police station under Indian Penal Code 174 (3) and investigation is under progress.

Rafique, a native of Sakleshpur, was staying in Aryapu and was a woodcutter. On Sunday, Rafique was celebrating Eid when he got a call to cut a tree. He left the celebrations midway, family members told police. Those who were with him in the forest, reportedly shifted his body to a hospital in Puttur and fled from the spot, which has given rise to suspicion that his death was not natural.