KL Report
SRINAGAR
Salamabad-Chakoti LoC Traders Union Thursday alleged that Chief Conservator Forests (CCF) Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Darzi was creating hurdles in smooth conduct of their business due to which they were suffering losses.
The president of the Union Nazir Ahmad Lone told KNS that since 2008, when the trade started, they were importing minor forest produce (MFP) from other side of the LoC. “We were being issued Form 25 by Forest Department from Trade Facilitation Center Salamabad till now. But recently Darzi gave verbal instructions to DFO Baramulla not to allow us to carry our goods beyond Baramulla. He is trying to create hurdles and wants to make it as a source of income for him,” he alleged.
Lone said this week all the trucks carrying MFP from Chakoti were stopped in Uri on the instructions of Darzi. “When we met Darzi he told us to dump the goods in godowns,” he added.
Meanwhile, a delegation of the Union Thursday called on Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad and apprised him about their problems. “Mian sahib assured us of all help and gave instructions to Darzi to allow us to carry our business without any hurdles. We are thankful to him for his support,” they said.
The delegation further said that they had recently met Principal Conservator Forests (PCCF) Abhay Kumar who assured them of full support. “He told us that we can take our goods beyond J&K and gave verbal instructions to his sub-ordinates,” he added.
The delegation comprised of Union Chairman Haji Asif Lone, President Nazir Ahmad Lone, Haji Mohammad Syed Khan, Mohammad Iqbal Lone and Peer Arshad.
When contacted Mian Altaf confirmed that he asked his officers not to harass anybody. “I told them if they need any direction from the government, we will issue it from Secretariat,” he told KNS.
