Amaravati, June 26 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan claimed on Thursday that red sanders smuggling has reduced by 70 per cent during the last two years.

He stated that, as a result of the coalition government’s measures to curb smuggling, there has been a 70 per cent reduction in red sanders smuggling over the past two years.

Pawan Kalyan, who is also the Minister for Forests and Environment, said the coalition government was dealing sternly with those apprehended in smuggling cases.

He said the fact that over 90 per cent of those apprehended in red sandalwood smuggling cases are being convicted stands as a testament to the coalition government’s commitment.

The Deputy Chief Minister stated that stringent measures are being implemented with the help of the task force to ensure that red sandalwood, a valuable state resource, does not cross state borders. He added that efforts to dismantle smuggling networks are being further accelerated through inter-state coordination.

Pawan Kalyan commended the Red Sandalwood Anti-Smuggling Task Force for identifying the movements of a smuggling gang in Anantapur district and successfully thwarting their activities based on concrete information.

He emphasised the need for robust measures to prevent red sanders smuggling and directed that the masterminds behind these smuggling gangs must not be spared under any circumstances.

Officials briefed the Deputy Chief Minister on a special operation conducted by the anti-smuggling task force near Bondalavada village in Narpala Mandal, Anantapur district, where 109 logs worth Rs 2 crore were seized.

They reported that task force officials had taken into custody an individual named Nallani Nandakumar, along with two others, for their involvement in red sandalwood smuggling. Pawan Kalyan ordered officials to trace the actual mastermind behind this operation and take appropriate action.

Officials explained that the team led by RSI Muralidhar Reddy participated in this operation. Details regarding the anti-smuggling measures were provided by the team operating under the leadership of SP Subbarayudu and the supervision of Red Sandalwood Anti-Smuggling Task Force SP P. Srinivas.

–IANS

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