TOBA TEK SINGH, June 8: Timber theft in Punjab’s second biggest forest, covering an area of 14,000 acres along both sides of the river Ravi in Toba and Khanewal districts, has been alarmingly on the rise for the last few years.

A source said dozens of trucks and trolleys laden with stolen timber were smuggled out of the forest every month right under the nose of the forest department staff.

Another source claimed that recovery of stolen lumber worth millions of rupees and registration of dozens of cases had not deterred the gangs of thieves.

Kamalia and Pirmahal police had recovered the stolen timber being loaded on tractor trolleys from the forest a few days back. Journalists from Kamalia - Sardar Farooq, Saifur Rehman and photographers Naeem and Jamil — reportedly visited the forest near Mauza Bhussi to get pictures of the chopped off trees on May 5. Officials, including forest SDO Hasan Hayat and block officer Muhammad Saleem, had not only made journalists hostage but also tortured them. They also snatched their cameras, a motorcycle and a cell phone.

The officials later fled when Pirmahal and Jakhar patrol police staff raided there.

A case had been registered against the accused and two of them were arrested. Police also recovered the motorcycle.

Condemning the manhandling of journalists, the Kamalia press club in its meeting demanded of provincial forest minister Dr Ashfaqur Rehman to take strict action against the accused officials.