VS demands enquiry into Marayur fire

Opposition leader V. S. Achuthanandan on Saturday called for a high-level enquiry into the fire near the sandalwood forests of Marayur.


In a statement here, the Opposition leader said that as per news reports theft of sandalwood trees had resumed in Marayur after the UDF government came to power. The fire was reportedly set to facilitate felling and transport of sandalwood trees. So, urgent measures should be taken to check smuggling of sandalwood.


Meanwhile, the Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration) N. Gopinathan has asked the local flying squad to enquire into the incident and submit a report.


About 15 hectares of forests had been destroyed in the fire on Friday.