Forest staff allege bid to revive sandalwood mafia

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Forest Rangers Association has threatened to surrender the weapons provided by the State government to register their protest against the �failure to check the increasing attacks on forest staff.

Association president B. Udayakumar told a press conference here on Wednesday that the government had failed to take action against those who attacked a Range Officer at Kanthalloor.

�The police also registered a murder case against the officer, he said.

Certain elements were trying to revive the sandalwood mafia in the State that had been suppressed by the efforts of forest rangers, he said. Rangers would go on a mass leave on July 5 to press for their demands and as amark of protest.

Mr. Udayakumar said rangers would continue their efforts to protect the environment and the tribal people.