Mumbai, March 18 The opposition on Wednesday claimed in the Maharashtra assembly that teak wood smugglers operating in the Chandrapur district are enjoying political patronage.
Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleged during Question Hour, the first hour of the House proceedings, that forest officials in the Brahmapuri area are being threatened and pressured by local leaders to spare smugglers from action.
Wadettiwar said a forest official recently seized two tractors loaded with teak wood, which is widely used in furniture for its durability. However, a local politician barged into the forest office, abused officials and forced them to release both the vehicles and the accused, he claimed.
"This is not petty theft but an organised racket involving armed gangs operating in Naxal-affected regions," Wadettiwar said.
He also called for providing arms to forest officials working in such sensitive areas for their protection and suggested that the call detail records, or CDRs, of the accused be examined to expose a larger smuggling network.
Forest Minister Ganesh Naik said an inquiry would be conducted against the officials if they released the accused under pressure, and strict action would be taken.
He added that CCTV footage and CDRs of suspects would be examined to trace the network and assured that any organised gang involved in the racket would be dismantled.