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Kerala Kaumudi Online
Friday, 29 March 2024 11.17 AM IST

Fake case fabricated in Manikunnu hill to divert attention from Muttil tree felling case

tree-felling

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In order to divert the attention of the state from the Muttil tree felling case, there are indications that a fake case was fabricated for tree felling on Manikunnu hill despite being an assigned land. The mysterious move was led by a temporary forest conservator with the aim of stirring up agitation among farmers.

The dramatic move began shortly after Devaprasad, Kozhikode Forest Vigilance Inspection and Evaluation Conservator, took a 12 - day leave of absence, with NT Sajan, Conservator in charge of Community Forestry, taking over. Devaprasad went on leave on February 12.

Sajan, who was in charge of the office for the second Saturday the next day, immediately intervened in the matter. A case has been registered against tree felling on Manikunnu Hill, despite it being an assigned land and is inhabited by about 1200 people outside the forest boundary.

It was also the stage where the accused in the Muttil case were also charged with fraud for smuggling timber with a fake Form-4 pass. It is alleged that the move was made to file a fake case on Manikunnu hill after realizing that the case under the Kerala Forest Act was being tightened.

Realizing the danger, environmental activists in the area alerted the then Forest Minister's office and asked Conservator Devaprasad to cancel his leave and return. On the morning of June 16th, he was again in charge. Conservator Sajan, who was temporarily relieved of his duties, sent the Manikunnu Hill case report date June 15 to the Forest Department headquarters on the 17th. Earlier, a Kozhikode-based journalist who had facilitated the scam had given news on the channel and called high-ups.

The lapses behind the revenue order

It has been pointed out that there are mysterious lapses behind the revenue order which led to the Muttil and other illegal timber cases and was later revoked. The order is contrary to the provisions of the Land Registration Act, 1964, the Kerala Tree Conservation Act, 1986 and the Land Registration Amendment Act, 2017. In the event of such an order, the existing provisions should be suspended. Or the Cabinet Executive should issue an order describing the extraordinary situation.

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TAGS: FAKE CASE, FABRICATED, MANIKUNNU HILL, MUTTIL TREE FELLING CASE
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