Political shield for teak smugglers? Row erupts in Maharashtra Assembly

Chandrapur: Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Maharashtra Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, on Wednesday alleged that organised gangs involved in teak wood smuggling are operating with political backing.Raising the issue during Question Hour, he cited a recent incident in which a junior forest officer seized two tractors carrying teak wood, only to be forced to release them after a local leader allegedly stormed into the office and verbally abused staff.Wadettiwar warned that such interference undermines law enforcement. He demanded that forest personnel be equipped with weapons for self-defence. He also suggested that analysing the call detail records (CDRs) of the accused and their associates could help expose a larger, statewide teak smuggling racket.Responding to the charges, forest minister Ganesh Naik assured the House of a thorough probe. He said officials who yielded to pressure and released the accused would face strict disciplinary action. CCTV footage from the area and the CDRs of those involved would be examined to trace the network."If any organised gang or criminal syndicate is found to be involved, it will be dismantled completely," the minister said.