Several United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarians from the Ratnapura District are alleged to be actively backing illegal gem miners operating within Sinharaja Forest Reserve. The allegations surfaced after officers from the Department of Forest Conservation (DFC) who raided a site in the area, were waylaid and viciously assaulted last week.
Environmentalists allege at least two UPFA MPs, who don’t hold ministerial portfolios, were backing the miners. Two DFC officers had to be admitted to hospital for treatment after seven of them were attacked by a mob of around 45-50 individuals on March 6 (Thursday) after they raided the location where the illegal mining was taking place, allegedly under political patronage.
The illegal mining activities, which are taking place in the Imbulkanda area, had caused enormous damage to the environment within Sri Lanka’s only rainforest, according to DFC officials.
Speaking to The Nation on grounds of anonymity, a DFC officer said the seven officers from the department’s Kalawana office who raided the site on Thursday managed to apprehend one suspect. Two others who fled the scene were identified. The team also found a large amount of equipment that was used in the illegal gem mining.
Speaking to The Nation on grounds of anonymity, a DFC officer said the seven officers from the department’s Kalawana office who raided the site on Thursday managed to apprehend one suspect. Two others who fled the scene were identified. The team also found a large amount of equipment that was used in the illegal gem mining.
The area contained two gem mines, one of which was one of the largest they had ever seen, the officer said. The miners had set up camp at the location and it seemed they had been continuing the operation for a considerable time period, he further explained.
“However, as the team was returning with the suspect and the seized equipment, they were waylaid at the end of the Imbulkanda village by a mob of around 50 villagers, who proceeded to assault the officers.
“However, as the team was returning with the suspect and the seized equipment, they were waylaid at the end of the Imbulkanda village by a mob of around 50 villagers, who proceeded to assault the officers.
They forced the officers to release the suspect, along with the equipment,” a DFC official said.
Two DFC officers who were injured in the incident were later admitted to hospital for treatment. A complaint was also lodged with the Potuvil police post regarding the incident, while a ‘B’ report was submitted to the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court, according to the DFC. The equipment that was forcibly taken away by the villagers had also been recovered by yesterday, and will be submitted to Court, it was further stated.
Two DFC officers who were injured in the incident were later admitted to hospital for treatment. A complaint was also lodged with the Potuvil police post regarding the incident, while a ‘B’ report was submitted to the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court, according to the DFC. The equipment that was forcibly taken away by the villagers had also been recovered by yesterday, and will be submitted to Court, it was further stated.
DFC officers had identified seven of the alleged attackers. When contacted, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said investigations into the incident were underway, but no suspects had been arrested. However, the illegal gem mining operations in the area have stopped, at least for now. A DFC official said they would visit the area again tomorrow to ensure that the activities are stopped permanently
- See more at: http://www.nation.lk/edition/news-online/item/26769-govt-mps-backing-illegal-mining-in-sinharaja-seven-forest-officials-assaulted-two-hospitalized.html#sthash.0yg8Wnsp.dpuf
No comments:
Post a Comment