FIVE VEHICLES SEIZED IN JIRIBAM FOR ILLEGAL TRANSPORT OF STONE CHIPS AND BOULDERS

A joint team of the Jiribam Forest Division and Jiribam Police seized five vehicles transporting stone chips and stone boulders without valid documents during a routine patrol on 18 November, Tuesday evening.

The vehicles — bearing registration numbers AS11BC9522, AS09BC0521, MN06T3235, MZ06A2015 and MP09DU4286 — were intercepted around 7 p.m. at Leingnangpokpi, Jiribam. A total of 66 cubic metres of stone chips and boulders were found being transported without the mandatory permit and Transit Pass issued by the competent authority.

Officials stated that the act violates provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (as amended), the Indian Forest (Manipur Amendment) Act, 2018, the Manipur Forest Rules, 2021, and the Manipur High Court order dated July 9, 2019, in PIL No. 5 of 2019.

A Preliminary Offence Report has been registered, and the five drivers were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Jiribam, on Wednesday. The seized forest produce and vehicles will be processed by the Authorised Officer, Jiribam Forest Division, as per relevant Acts and Rules.