Team News Riveting
Raipur, June 7
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Monday intercepted a junior forest official in the restive Sukma district who was carrying a huge cash of Rs 59 lakh.
The forest official clarified that he was carrying the cash for disbursement of payment to tendupatta collectors in the pockets highly influenced by the Left Wing Extremism. The CRPF team took the official for interrogation in the camp. He was later handed over to the local police that reportedly let him go free after basic interrogation and verification of the cash.
The incident had raised many questions as retired bureaucrats and police officials pointed out severe loopholes in the entire episode.
While the forest officials cited the government circular facilitating cash movement in the non-banking area for rural payments, the volume of money flared up a debate. “A cash of Rs 59 lakh for a payment in a single day in the Maoist-infested areas cannot be justified,” an official earlier posted in Dantewada said. The cash was to be paid in “many” villages, that too did not make sense, he said.
The state government and the forest officials could not be reached for an official version on the incident.
According to senior officials, permission for payment of such a huge amount was hardly granted. “Normally, the officials are permitted to carry the required amount for a particular pocket or village and withdraw again the next day for another pocket,” they added.
Interestingly, the forest official was carrying huge cash without any escort that itself raised serious doubts. He was also alone.
The CRPF officials detained him in the camp. “Had the forest officials carried the required proof, the CRPF officials could not have held him for hours before the local police and forest officials swung into action,” a retired police official said.
