THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader VD Satheesan said that the UDF would consider legal action against the illegal tree felling. He said that a UDF delegation led by him and Kunhalikutty will visit Wayanad on the 17th. While a team led by TN Prathapan will visit Thrissur, another team led by and Benny Behanan will visit Ernakulam and Idukki. The teams will submit their report to the UDF. After examining this, legal action will be considered, Satheesan said.

"Large-scale looting took place under the guise of an order that lasted only three months. A set of political conspirators worked with the officials for this. The government is yet to launch an inquiry into the bizarre order. No action was taken against the robbers who cut down the trees and the case was registered against the Adivasis and farmers. The government is attempting to wipe out the case by creating a huge protest among them," Satheesan said.

"The opposition is demanding a judicial inquiry. The Forest Department and the Revenue Department are blaming each other. Both the CPM and the CPI are remaining silent. The CPI, that handled these two departments, should clarify things. The UDF said in the assembly that trees other than sandalwood should be allowed to be cut down. However, widespread timber smuggling took place under the cover of this," Satheesan added.