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Different versions over sandalwood seizure

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, JAN. 20. There are different versions over the seizure of a huge quantity of sandalwood from three sandal oil extraction units here on Wednesday.

Forest officials from Pondicherry and Kerala seized more than 10 tonnes of sandalwood from the units during a joint raid. The raid was conducted after a team from Kerala led by Rajan Saigal, Munnar Divisional Forest Officer, lodged a complaint with their counterpart here that sandalwood had been `smuggled' from Munnar to Pondicherry.

After the seizure, the Pondicherry officials said the sandalwood was smuggled from Kerala. However, today they retracted from their earlier stand.

When contacted, one of the officials here said these units had `valid documents' and the sandalwood had been procured through auction. He said the matter had been referred to court.

But the Kerala officials challenge the argument of their counterparts.

Mr. Rajan Saigal told The Hindu over phone from Munnar that "the sandalwood was smuggled from Marayur Forest Range and we have all the documents to challenge it".

He said those indirectly involved in the smuggling had been arrested sometime ago in Kerala.

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