Timber smuggler held, 2 elephants seized

GUWAHATI, June 2 : A team of Assam Forest Protection Force and forest staff led by South Guwahati Range Officer Dilip Kalita arrested a timber smuggler Md Chiraj Ali and seized two elephants while they were being engaged in pulling smuggled logs at Kayempathar area along Assam-Meghalaya border on May 31. A mahout and a mohori too have been nabbed along with the elephants. It may be mentioned that Md Chiraj Ali had been using the two elephants to bring smuggled logs from Assam to Meghalaya, taking advantage of the pre-occupation of the forest staff in eviction works since May 7. The elephants are now under safe custody of the Forest Department.