Kailali timber smuggler arrested after 28 days

Dhangadhi: An industrialist allegedly involved in timber smuggling in Kailali has been arrested by the Sukhad Sub-Division Forest Office team after 28 days. Yagyaraj Acharya, a wood industry worker from Ghodaghodi Municipality Ward No. 4 Ganeshpur of the district, was arrested on Saturday night. On March 5, the forest officials had seized 233 cubic feet of illegal wood from the wood mill operated by Acharya and his house. 

The forest officials had seized 80 cubic feet from Sunita Kashta and Steel Furniture Industry in Ganeshpur and 153.68 cubic feet of illegal sawn timber and chiran wood from the house of Acharya. However, Acharya could not be arrested at the time.

The Sukhad sub-division forest office had brought an arrest warrant from the district court in Kailali on 16th Chait and intensified the search. During the search, Acharya was arrested from his house on Saturday night. The head of the Sukhad sub-division office, Somlal Ghalan, confirmed the arrest and stated that the forest officials had mobilized a team to arrest him and that the court and investigation process is ongoing.

There have been allegations from the locals that the delay in Acharya's arrest was due to the connivance of the forest officials. However, the forest officials have refuted these claims and maintained that they were actively pursuing the matter.