Coimbatore : In a blatant misuse of power, municipality officials in Mettupalayam have allegedly joined hands with tree smugglers and helped them elope with three rare species of trees.
Coimbatore : In a blatant misuse of power, municipality officials in Mettupalayam have allegedly joined hands with tree smugglers and helped them elope with three rare species of trees.
During a patrol at the water pumping station at Ward No 33, Municipality Commissioner Gandhiraj found that few large native tree species including Vembu were axed. When he questioned the officials, the mix up of answers from each one of them urged him to order a probe.
Upon initial investigation it was learnt that Rangaraj, one of the entry level employee at the Municipality had joined hands with the tree cutters and helped them safely elope after cutting down the trees.
Shockingly, it is alleged that Rangaraj has been provoked by Municipality higher officials who have ordered him to help the tree cutters to axe the trees.
As the water pumping station which receives water from the Bhavani river is located in a secluded place, the offenders with the help of the officials have eloped with the trees.
Despite round-the-clock surveillance by the Municipal officials and the Superindentent, the tree smuggling incident brought shock waves among the people.
The public have urged the district administration to thoroughly probe the incident and bring to light all the officials involved in the act.