Summary:
Kozhikode: The controversy over the illegal felling of rosewood trees has split the forest department with the field staff fearing a concerted move by senior officials to make them scapegoats in the incident. The Forest Protective Staff Association submitted a memorandum to Forest Minister A K Saseendran alleging moves were on to absolve officials in the rank of range officers and above. The Association alleged that the intention was to make field staff face the cases and shoulder the liabilities arising out of the incident. About 5000 field staff have registered their protest. The sub-offices of the Forest Department should have warned of the consequences of implementing the order..