Hizb bans felling of willow trees in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 29: The Hizbul Mujahideen, the single largest indigenous militant group active in Jammu and Kashmir, has imposed a ban on cutting of willow trees across the valley.

In a statement to the local media here, Hizb divisional commander Gazi Naseeb-ud-din alleged that some politically influential people had started felling trees at Palhalan Ghat nursery in Pattan area of Baramulla district.

He said these vested interests were recklessly looting the national wealth. ''But, the Hizbul Mujahideen will not allow anyone to loot the national wealth,'' Naseeb-ud-din added.

He said the vested interests were presently cutting willow trees in the nurseries at Nowgam, Ghat, Gopalan and Palhalan Ghat.

''The Hizb imposes ban on every kind of cutting of trees.

Labourers, truck divers and saw-mill owners are asked not to become party to the loot of the national wealth,'' he added.

UNI