Police seize band sawmill for processing illicit timber, Owner arrested

Bandipora, Dec 13, KNT: Police in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district seized a band sawmill and arrested its owner for processing illicit forest timber.

The police said that acting on specific information, a police team raided the sawmill located in Watapora village of Bandipora, in coordination with forest officials.

During the raid, authorities confiscated 197 wooden sleepers of Deodar and Kail, measuring approximately 134 cubic feet.

A police official confirmed the operation, stating that the mill was found processing timber illegally sourced from nearby forests.

“We have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Forest Act at Police Station Bandipora,” the official said. [KNT]