Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) the probe into the significant accumulation of logs in the Pandoh Dam. This accumulation occurred following last week`s devastating flash floods in Mandi and has subsequently led to serious allegations of illegal tree felling, reported news agency PTI.
A spokesperson for the state government issued a statement confirming the Chief Minister`s directive: “The state government has taken serious cognisance regarding the matter and would bring to light the possible reasons behind the accumulation of wood in such a large quantity and the government under the directions of the chief minister has now decided for the CID inquiry into the matter.”
Meanwhile, this move signals the government`s intent to investigate the incident and identify any wrongdoing.
Moreover, the government also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the opposition party of having supported a “forest mafia” during its previous rule.
The spokesperson alleged that the BJP had failed to establish accountability regarding the issue of illegal tree felling during their tenure, reported PTI.
However, the spokesperson emphasised that the immediate priority following the incidents of cloudbursts and floods was to safeguard human lives and provide the urgent relief to the affected people. They stated that effective measures were already underway to restore normalcy in the flood-hit regions before political discourse commenced.
It was highlighted that logs in big quantities were recently observed floating in the Pandoh Dam, having been swept down by the powerful floodwaters. Videos and photographs depicting the large amount of wood flushing down the river and accumulating in the dam quickly went viral across various media platforms. These visuals sparked considerable public concern and prompted widespread calls for an immediate investigation into their origin.
“While the government and the administration were busy helping people, the BJP made hue and cry regarding the forest wood without showing sensitivity and concern for the ones affected by cloudburst and flash floods,” the spokesperson asserted.
Moreover, this statement suggests a perception of the BJP prioritising political gain over disaster relief efforts.
Furthermore, the government`s statement alleged that the opposition party is “highly ignorant and selective when it comes to such matters as the issues of illegal felling of trees were never inquired and no accountability was set during their tenure.” This is a direct accusation of hypocrisy on the part of the BJP.
Meanwhile, the statement concluded with a strong allegation: “Rather `Van (forest) Mafia` had clear support of the BJP and its government in the previous tenures of the BJP government in the state.”
(With inputs from PTI)