Miscreants have stolen at least three sandalwood trees in three separate incidents in the tribal dominated Gajapati district in last 10 days, giving a strong belief that a sandalwood smuggling racket is actively functioning in the area.
According to locals, they had informed the forest officials, while timber smugglers were cutting down a sandal tree from Tentuli Sahi of R Udayagiri block in Gajapati district on September 2. Besides, a few smugglers were caught red-handed, while they were trying to lift two sandal trees from the premises of the court on September 4 and September 7, respectively. During the raid, the forest officials had seized different items, including a hand bag, two pairs of shoes, woman locket and an axe.
The locals have demanded immediate steps against the persons behind the illegal activities.