Task force seizes 75 red sanders logs

TIRUPATI: Continuing the ongoing offensive against

red sanders

smuggling, the red sanders anti-smuggling task force (RSASTF) sleuths conducted combing operations at Seshachalam forests on Friday morning and arrested two

smugglers

and seized 75

logs

and two vehicles of the smugglers.

Speaking to reporters, task force SP, P Ravi Shankar, said, a team led by RSIs Vasu and Lingadhar, carried out combing operations inside the forests near Srivari Mettu-Alipiri route since Thursday night.

In the early hours on Friday, the combing parties spotted a group of around 20 red sanders smugglers cutting down trees near NCC firing range.

When the smugglers realised they were surrounded, they attacked the task force sleuths with stones. The latter, however, managed to nab two smuggled, while the rest fled.

The arrested have been identified as Rajesh and

Kuppu Swamy

, both are from Tiruvannamalai district in Tamil Nadu.