December 04, 2006	Monday	Ziqa'ad 12, 1427

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GUJRAT, Dec 3: Timber mafia allegedly with the connivance of some forest officials, illegally cut down trees worth Rs2 million from Daffar forest in Mandi Bahauddin during the last three days.

Sources requesting anonymity told this correspondent that the timber mafia had now struck at Daffar forest near Miana Gondal from where they fell hundreds of trees, including Shisham, and sold them to a plywood factory in Jhelum.

They said the mafia had earlier deprived the Gujrat district of Shisham and other trees. They said the mafia was led by an influential contractor from Gujrat and allegedly patronised by Daffar district forest officer and SDO.

DFO Nawaz Sandhila said over telephone that he was unaware of the fresh theft. He said a theft incident had taken place at the forest in October and area guards filed an application with the respective police station. He said two guards were tortured by some men for indicating theft at the forest.

Later, a case was registered against them for kidnapping and torturing the guards.

Mr Sandhila said he would personally look into the matter if any fresh theft of trees occurred at the forest.