Cops nab two wood cutters

​Kadapa: Two wood cutters were arrested at Pullangeerupenta in Dalipalli forest and seized Rs 20 lakh worth red sanders logs from them on Tuesday in a joint combing operation by Task Force, Railway Kodur police and Forest department. The accused were identified as Velayan Chetty, Rama Swamy, both hailing from Vellore district in Tamil Nadu. Railway Kodur Circle Inspector S K Rasul Basha told the media persons here on Wednesday that during combing operation in the Dalipalle forest, they found 25 wood cutters chopping down red sanders trees.

Noticing the police, the miscreants pelted stones at the police and managed to escape from the spot. The CI said that no police was injured in the attack, but they were able to nab two culprits as remaining 23 escaped in the darkness. He said that people in large numbers were migrating from Tamil Nadu to Seshachalam forest for cutting red sanders, either for salary or on a contract basis. He said that about 300 people were arrested on the charges of illegally felling the red sanders trees. It is learnt that all the wood cutters hailed from different villages of Vellore district. A few days ago, they came to Tirupati, later reached Dalipalle forest via Mangalam village located on the outskirts of Tirupati town.