NAHAN: Working on the tip off, a truck loaded with Deodar saleepers was caught by the Renuka Police at Gajrot curve on Renuka Sangrah road, about 38 K.M. from here today. Police has arrested five persons including two smugglers on the spot.
Mr J. P. Singh, Superintendent of Police Sirmour told this correspondent this evening that 181 Deodar saleepars which were being illegally smuggled were recovered from the truck [HR 38 G – 0492] which were hide under the 70 boxes of apples. After packing the Deodar wood under the apple boxes the truck was covered with the Tirpal cover and it was difficult to judge as what was under the apple boxes. The market price of the wood recovered is estimated around 6 lacs of rupees.
SP said that police was receiving information for the past few months that some wood smugglers were active on the boarder of Shimla district. As per the modus operandi of these smugglers they used to pilot the Truck in a Jeep to ensure that there was no Police Naka or any other hindrance in the way. But this time, he added that information was very correct and police had to choose a place to nab the piloting vehicle first at a place where following Truck could not see the police action. For this purpose the Gajrot curve was found most suitable, which is about 2 K.M. from Renuka Ji, on Renuka-Sangrah road.
SP said that police has arrested five persons in this regard on the spot. Arrests includes two smugglers one resident of Kupvi, district Shimla and another is resident of village Shakoli [Rohnat] tehsil Shillai district Sirmour who allegedly purchased and loaded the illegal wood from the Trahan village in Kupvi tehsil were arrested along with the white colour Marshal Jeep [HP 18- 3222] and its driver who is a resident of village Bora, tehsil Kupvi while they were piloting the Truck. The truck Driver and conductor both belongs to Heerpur village under Paonta Sub Division were also nabbed on the spot.
Police said that the wood was being smuggled towards Paonta Sahib. The investigation in this regard was on and police was hopeful that wood mafia network would be unearthed after the custodial interrogation of smugglers. A case has been registered in this regard. It is biggest catch of illegal wood recovered by the police during past three years as per police sources.
Working as district correspondent with The Tribune & Danik Tribune in Sirmour.
