ERRING OFFICIAL FACES PUBLIC WRATH;

A forest official trying to block tree transportation in spite of the legal documents was house arrested by public yesterday at Kadanga village.

A contractor, Prasanna, who had transported four loads of silver tree logs earlier, was transporting the last load for which the department had issued permission. But the forest squad led by RFO Mr.Srinivas Murthy blocked the lorry and tried to shift it on the night of 8th.But they left the vehicle as the villagers and public gathered in the area.

Yesterday, the officer arrived at the spot along with police and retried to shift the vehicle. The enraged public puled the Rfo into a building and locked him inside. They demanded the presence of DFO Mr.Jagdish. They alleged that Mr.Srinivasmurthy had taken bribe and it should be returned. While the DFO tried to push off from the scene, the public forced him also into the building. The officers were released only after they gave assurance to look into the matter in writing and expressed regret.