GULMARG: Four forest department employees in Kashmir’s tourist resort of Gulmarg have been arrested for their alleged involvement in illegal trading of banned natural herbs.
They have been identified as Farooq Ahmad Bhat (Forester), Abdul Aziz Ganaie (forest guard), Mudasir Geelani (watcher) and Ghulam Ahmad Chopan (forest guard).
“During the police raid, all the four forest department officials were arrested with eight sacks (Bags) of banned natural herbs. The cost of the banned herbs has been estimated in lakhs,” a police official told a local news agency CNS.
Reports also said that some senior officials of the forest department are also likely to be questioned about their alleged involvement in smuggling the banned herb from forest division Gulmarg.
Sources said that the arrested forest officials enjoyed patronage of their superiors, working in deep nexus with local traders who export the herbs.
Chief conservator forests, S.L. Sharma told the news agency that the department will investigate the entire matter within two days and that action would be initiated against the forest officials involved in illegal herb trade.
“An investigating officer outside forest division Gulmarg will be an investigation officer. Once the officer will submit its report, the department will take action against the accused,” Sharma said.
