Shimla, March 16 BJP state president Rajiv Bindal accused the Himachal Pradesh government on Monday of "shielding" the accused who illegally felled more than 300 trees in the Shillai assembly constituency of the Sirmaur district.
He said that the way in which hundreds of pine trees were cut down in broad daylight using sawmills, followed by the administration's prolonged reluctance to take action, makes it evident that the entire episode "reeks of political patronage".
The trees were felled on March 5, with photographs and videos of the incident subsequently surfacing on social media. Despite this, the concerned department failed to take any action that very day, he said.
Nathuram Chauhan, an environmental activist from the Shillai area, alleged that a large number of trees were illegally felled in Shillai under political patronage and demanded a high-level enquiry into the matter.
Bindal said that some individuals came forward on social media, admitting to cutting the trees; they further claimed to possess a permit for 25 trees, saying that permits for the remaining trees were still in process.
He pointed out that the site where this felling took place is located merely 500 meters away from the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) office, the police station, and the forest range office.
Despite this proximity, the fact that no official was aware of the incident or failed to take timely action constitutes an extremely serious matter, he added.
The role of officials who granted the permission, as well as those who failed to take timely action, must be subjected to an impartial inquiry, and appropriate action must be taken against them, he demanded.
He also warned of launching a statewide agitation if the government fails to take strict action against the culprits.
Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur had also alleged that political protection is being extended in the matter and that attempts are being made to dilute the investigation.
He said that if the government has the moral courage, it should take strict action against those responsible.
Earlier, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had maintained that he had sought a report from the department in this regard.