Smuggle slur on principal of primary school

TT, 03 Jan 2019, Siliguri: The state forest department seized timber worth over Rs 2 lakh from the house of a primary school headmaster in Raiganj on Wednesday.

Forest sources said Haripada Roy, the principal of Purba Milanpally Primary School in Rajganj, is absconding.

"We had information that Roy was involved in illegal timber smuggling. He used to bring in the timber from Baikunthapur forest and would cut them into logs. Later, he used to smuggle the illegal timber to make furniture and for other purposes. On Wednesday, we raided his house at Khalkerbari village and seized several timber logs worth over Rs 2 lakh," said Sanjay Dutta, the range officer of the special task force.

"We are in search of him and have also sent information to officials at the district primary education department," he added.

Local people were stunned to hear about the seizure. "We would often see people bringing in timber at Roy's home and thought that he runs a business. It is surprising that a teacher had indulged into timber smuggling," said a villager.

After the raid, the foresters reached Roy's school but found it to be closed.

"It seems that the headmaster got information about the raid and fled the spot. We have informed officials of the primary education department in Jalpaiguri and also to the district primary school council. We will also appeal before the court, seeking permission to arrest him," added the forest officer.