BJP to inquire into Nalagarh DFO's death

Shimla, July 5 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of the BJP today constituted two separate inquiry committees to probe into the death of Nalagarh DFO and transfer of Kangani forest land in Mandi distict of the state to some ''influential people''.

Former state chief minister P K Dhumal has constituted a five-member committee headed by Ishwar Singh Dhiman to probe the death of Nalagarh DFO R L Thakur who, police said, was killed in an accident in Solan district of the state on June 25, a party release here said.

The BJP's decision to form a committee to probe Thakur's death comes five days after the Himachal unit of the CPM demanded a CBI inquiry and said while the DFO had 40 per cent burn injuries, the vehicle was not burnt at all in the accident.

Besides, Mr Dhiman, other members of the committee included Harbans Singh Rana, Ravinder Singh Ravi, Rajiv Bindal and Hari Narayan Saini.

It said the committee has been asked to submit its report on Thakur's death soon to bring the truth before the people of the state.

Another inquiry committee, constituted by Mr Dhumal, would try to ascertain the truth in leasing out the Kangni demarcated protected forest (DPF) land to ''influential people, close to the state government''.

The three-member committee of Mahinder Singh Thakur, Jai Ram Thakur and Damodar Dass would collect facts on the deal since the state government has not been able to give a clear answer to their queries.

According to the Forest Act and other laws, no body could collect wood and let cattle in the DPF area to graze, while the state government had leased it altogether to influential people, it added.

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