Srinagar, February 21: Police on Wednesday refuted a news report claiming that five walnut trees were cut down for a police officer in Woyen village of Shopian on Monday evening.
Police in a statement said, “District police administration has clarified that on 20th of February 2018 Police Post Imam Sahab received a written complaint from one Mohammad Shafi Ganaie of Upora Nagbal stating that some unknown persons have cut off his apple and walnut trees which has caused him loss. Accordingly a case FIR number 44/2018 under section 436 A, 427 RPC, 13 Prevention of J&K Specified Trees Act was registered and investigation has been taken up.”
The newspaper in its report had said: “Because the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) needed the wood for his house, five huge walnut trees were cut down in Woyen village of Shopian on Monday evening, even as policemen formed a cordon so that nobody could go near the spot. The owners of the trees themselves cut them down, though the felling of walnut trees, especially green walnut trees, has been banned by the state government for several years now.”
“During investigation, the wood was seized and was given on “supardnama” to Mohammad Shafi Bhat who resides in the neighborhood of the orchard. Further investigation of the case is going on. As such the news item published is refuted,” police said.
