Sri Vijaya Puram, May 01: Police and forest officials seized a cache of illegally hand-sawn timber from a forested area in Paschimsagar village, but failed to apprehend any suspects, raising concerns over ongoing illicit timber activity in the region.
The operation was carried out on April 29, 2026, after police received specific intelligence inputs about the illegal transportation of timber in the 5 Plot area under Paschimsagar. Acting on the information, a team from Kalighat Police Station, led by Station House Officer Shibendra Halder, conducted a joint search operation along with personnel from Outpost Kishorinagar and officials from the Forest Department.
During the search of the targeted location and surrounding forest stretches, authorities recovered 26 pieces of hand-sawn timber of varying sizes. The seized material included high-value species such as Padauk and Thingam wood. Officials estimated the total volume of the recovered timber at approximately 0.382 cubic metres.
Investigators said the timber had been deliberately hidden within dense forest bushes, indicating an attempt to evade detection. Despite an extensive combing operation in the area, no individuals linked to the illegal activity were found at the site. Authorities did not report any arrests in connection with the seizure.
Following the recovery, the timber was formally seized and handed over to the Forest Department for further legal proceedings under relevant forest and environmental regulations. Officials have not disclosed whether further leads have emerged from the operation.
The incident highlights persistent concerns over illegal logging and transportation of timber in forested pockets of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The use of concealed storage points and the absence of suspects at the recovery site point to challenges in enforcement and surveillance across remote areas.
Police have appealed to residents to assist in identifying illegal activities related to timber extraction and movement. Authorities urged the public to share credible information with the nearest police station or through helpline numbers 100, 112, or 03192-273344. Officials stated that the identity of informants will be kept confidential and that appropriate rewards may be provided for actionable inputs.
The seizure forms part of ongoing efforts by local police and forest authorities to address illegal exploitation of forest resources. However, the absence of arrests in this case underlines the need for continued vigilance and coordination between enforcement agencies and the community.
