In connection with the Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) allegation of illegal tax collection by forest personnel manning Check Gate Chumuokedima on February 10 last, the divisional forest officer (DFO) Dimapur Friday said that matter was under investigation and assured that appropriate action would be taken against any personnel found guilty.
In a press release, DFO Dimapur informed that at present no forest check gate was operating at Chumukedima. DFO stated that check gates were primarily located at inter-state boundaries only. DFO, however, said mobile team was deployed frequently in order to contain any sort of illegal activities during the movement of forest produce.
Further, DFO said that for movement of forest produce including timber within the State or its exports outside Nagaland, the various provisions in NFA 1986, NFTR 1969, NTFR 2017 and NJA 1970 were applicable.
According to DFO, the orders pronounced by the Supreme Court from time to time regarding movement of timber was also adhered to.