Kupwara, Dec 4 (GNS): Forest Protection Force Kashmir on Saturday placed under suspension three officials allegedly involved in timber smuggling Dedikoot woods in Kupwara district and ordered an inquiry into “matter of serious nature.”
Irfan Rasool Wani (IFS) Joint Director Forest Protection Force Kashmir said following a news report regarding arrest of protection employees by Handwara Police “for causing damage to one Deodar tree” concerned Deputy Director FPF Kehmil was instantly directed to report factual position of event.
“(He) reported that three of the officials of his unit namely Altaf-ul-Rehman Bhat, FPG, Adil Jeelanl Shah, FPO and Mohammad Amin Mir, FPW have had ventured into Dedikoot forest at evening hours who were apprehended by Police for questioning on the suspicion of causing damage to one tree in Co.74/NH,” reads the order.
Wani said that matter was taken up by him with Superintendent of Police, Handwara telephonically and it was decided that the case will first be investigated by Forest department departmental for assessing the role of concerned FPF employees in the instant matter before further legal action is initiated by Police.
“The concerned police authorities allowed the detained officials to report back to their headquarter,” he said, adding, “the Superintendent of Police, Handwara has now formally reported the instant matter to Conservator of Forests North Circle Kashmir to initiate departmental enquiry and has provided detailed incident report along with all documentary proof concerning the case.”
Underling that the instant matter was of serious nature and evidences in hand prima-facie reveal indulgence of the three officials in acts of omission and commission, he said departmental proceedings as prescribed under Rule 87 of Forest Protection Force Rules, 2012 is hereby approved to be instituted against the enrolled members.
“Disciplinary authority consisting is hereby constituted under Rule 87(ii) of Rules which will follow procedure as laid down in Rules for imposing the penalty against the officials.”
The members include Nawab Magray, Dy. Director FPF, Anantnag and Mohammad Sarwar Shah Dy. Director FPF, Kupwara.
“Subsistence allowance shall be admissible to concerned officials during the period of suspension as provided under rules on production of a certificate that they are not engaged in any other employment, business, profession or vocation.”
He said “J&K Forest (Protection) Force Rules, 2012” under Rule 82 provide the code of behavior for members of the Force and Rule 83 define the offences which are relatable to duties of enrolled members.
He said instant act committed by enrolled members of Force prima-facie reveal violation of Rules which are punishable under Rule 84 of J&K Forest Protection Force Rules 2012. (GNS)
