Udhagamandalam, June 30 (PTI): Six officials of the Forest Department officials have been placed under suspension for failing to prevent wood-cutting in Nilgiris district, State Minister K Ramachandran said on Wednesday.

This step would be a deterrent to those who fail in their duty to prevent such deeds and also reportedly colluding in such activities, the Forest Minister told reporters here.

Two officials from Lower Kothagiri and four officials from Gudalur were suspended, he said adding that stringent action would be taken against those indulging in wood-cutting and smuggling, particularly in Gudalur.

Similarly, action would be taken against those, who encroach upon forest land in Kodanadu area, he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)