CPM MLA and his Goons take law in their hands

CPM workers barge into Forest IB; free accused

Source:wwww.newindpress.com

MANANTHAVADI: A team of CPM workers led by KC Kunhiraman MLA on Thursday morning barged into the Forest Inspection Bungalow here and forcefully released nine accused including seven tribals taken into custody by the forest officials in connection with smuggling of bark of Idinjil, an endangered tree species.

The Forest officials took into custody the accused and seized two vehicles, including a Qualis Car carrying the bark around 8 p.m. on Wednesday. They were brought to the forest IB on Thursday morning for questioning and registering statements when CPM workers led by the MLA arrived and demanded the quick release of the accused, according to Forest officials.

The workers also destroyed the documents prepared by the Forest officials before escaping from the IB through backdoor. “They cast aspersions on us and tried to manhandle us,” an official said.

Meanwhile, KC Kunhiraman along with other workers staged a sit-in in front of the Forest IB demanding withdrawal of cases charged by the Forest Department and immediate release of the seized vehicles. “This government is committed to the tribals and would ensure justice for the tribal community,” Kunhiraman said.

“The community has all the rights to enter into the forest and collect all forest produces except timber,” he said. The Forest officials not only detained all the accused but denied them food and other basic facilities, he alleged.

In the afternoon CPM workers also held captive Wayanad Wildlife Warden Deepak Mishra, Range Officers PM Venugopal, P Ramakrishnan, N Rajesh and Deputy Superintendent of Police K Madhusoodanan who reached the Forest IB for discussions with the agitators demanding the release of seized vehicles.

Those taken into custody in connection with the incident were Rajan Vaidyar, son of Raman, a prominent tribal medical practitioner of Achome, Chandran son of Balakrishnan, Sathyan son of Sasi, Balakrishnan son of Annan, Akbar Ali, son of Hamsa, Sreevalsan, son of Raman, Rajan, son of Marappan, Prakasan, son of Kelu, Sunil son of Venu, all natives of Achome.

Cases were registered against the accused under various Section and the vehicles were seized under section 61 A.

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