Red sanders smuggling still rampant in Kadapa

Kadapa: Seizure of red sanders logs worth about Rs 30 lakh in Proddatur, Mydukur and Railway Kodur mandals on Thursday appears to be smuggling of red sanders from the forest of Kadapa district remain unabated.

Majority red sanders trees are available in the district. The smugglers are adopting various methods by changing the tactics to continue the smuggling much to the dismay of the forest, police and task force.

No doubt the forest and the police stepped up the drive against red sanders smuggling and took tough measures to check the smuggling which is evident with the seizure of Rs 20 crore worth red sanders logs and arresting more than 1,500 wood cutters, 500 smugglers including national and international and imposed PD Act against more than 30 notorious people for the last couple of years.

Following intensification of checking with dog squad and other security agencies between Tirupati-Kadapa, the smugglers are adopting several methods to mislead the police.

It is learnt that wood cutters, of late, are reaching Tirupati from Chennai by ordinary buses, via Naidupet and Sullurpet of Nellore district, and also Srikalahasti of Chittoor district in the guise of devotees. They later board the passenger train running between Tirupati-Gunthakal which is running only during nights.

After reaching Gunthakal, they disperse to the areas like Muddanur, Jammalamadugu, Yerraguntla, Mydukur and Kamalapuram in Kadapa district by private vehicles and staying for some time in the temples and ashrams to divert the attention of police before entering the forest areas.

When contacted by The Hans India Duvvuru range forest beat officer C Harinath said that the wood cutters would come to Kadapa district from Salem, Villupuram, Krishnagiri areas of Tamil Nadu. Theydeveloped contacts with local people and get huge amount from the smugglers who continue the trade uninterruptedly.