33 arrested for felling trees inside reserve forest

Sambalpur, Aug 30(UNI) Police have arrested 33 people on charges of felling trees in the Kholagad reserved forest area near here.

Police said villagers of Naktideul yesterday overpowered the timber smugglers and handed them over to the police. They also intimated the matter to the Divisional Forest Officer at Rairakhol.

All the 33 arrested were later forwarded to court after a thorough investigation. The forest officials seized the woods.

Kholagad is a place known for Maoist activities. The dense forest has become a safe hideout for the Maoists. However,the reason behind such massive felling of trees inside the reserve forest is yet to be ascertained.

UNI