Forest officer P Dhanesh Kumar, who played a key function in bringing rampant felling of included rosewood and teak bushes in Kerala’s ecologically fragile Wayanad to mild in June, has sought safety for himself and his family mentioning threats.
In a letter to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the case, and the leader conservator of forest Arun RS, Kumar stated people near the accused had been monitoring his movements. He added he suspected danger to himself and his family. Kumar stated whilst he wondered a number of the accused last month, he turned into threatened in front of the prison officers. He alleged the principal accused Roji Augustin threatened to implicate him in sedition and narcotic materials instances. Augustin is most of the 12 people arrested withinside the case.
“I often get threat calls. Even a number of my family participants had been also threatened. Hence, it's far humbly asked to offer ok protection to my life,” he stated withinside the letter, which was leaked to the media. Both Kumar and Arun R S refused to comment even as a police officer stated Kumar might be given safety.
The SIT has registered 300-odd cases about illegal felling. But conservationists and competition leaders allege there may be an try and defend the accused and forest officers who allegedly helped them.
The forest branch remaining month sought strict movement in opposition to forest legitimate N T Sajan for his alleged function withinside the unlawful tree felling, however, no movement has been taken in opposition to him. Sajan allegedly helped the accused and attempted to sabotage the case initially. He was transferred from Kozhikode to Kollam after the case surfaced.