Social worker accuses police of inaction

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, February 10

A city-based resident and a social worker, Gaurav Jain, has alleged inaction on the part of the district police in the illegal cutting of two big trees in front of the parking of Dera Baba Murad Shah in Nakodar.

He said it’s been over four months that two big trees from near Dera Baba Murad Shah at Nakodar were chopped off and he had made a complaint in this regard to the Station House Officer, Nakodar, and Nakodar DSP via email on January 10 and again on January 31 to investigate the matter, but to no avail.

He said he had also complained through email and phone to the Forest Range Officer Phillaur and to Surjit Singh, EO, Nagar Council, Nakodar, on November 29, 2018, and also gave a complaint to the Financial Commissioner, Forest Department, Vishwajit Khanna, and Secretary, Forest, Sumir Kumar, to intervene in the matter and take strict action against those involved in the matter.

Gaurav said sick of red-tapism and inaction of the authorities, he sent the complaint to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, the Chief Secretary, Punjab, DGP, Punjab Police, Secretary, Local Body Government, and SSP, Jalandhar Rural, as the trees were cut without the permission of the administration and the culprits must be put behind the bar.

He said after complaining through a tweet to the DGP, Punjab Police, on January 3, the DGP instructed the SSP, Jalandhar Rural, to take action. But nothing in this regard had been done so far. He said despite the 24-hour surveillance at the place and CCTV cameras being installed, the police were not able to find the culprits or procure any evidence against those involved in the act.

Meanwhile, Navjot SIngh Mahal, SSP, Jalandhar Rural, said the police would verify the case, and requisite action would be taken at the earliest.