RPF to probe into illegal chopping of sacred fig tree on railway land in Vaniyambadi

The Jolarpet division of Railway Protection Force (RPF), led by Inspector Nikil Kumar Gupta, has started an investigation into the illegal chopping of a sacred fig tree (arasa maram) on an open plot that belongs to Southern Railway near the railway station in Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur on Saturday.

Residents said that the tree has been a major landmark in the town for many years. Bus stops were also created near the huge tree, as commuters preferred to board buses under the shade of the tree. “We are shocked to witness chopped trunks of the old tree where we used to board buses every day. Action should be taken against those involved,” said G. Vimala, a resident.

A group of residents noticed that the chopped tree with huge trunks kept around it. Immediately, they informed Jolarpet police and railway officials at Vaniyambadi railway station, which is located around 700 metres from the spot.

A team of railway engineers from Department of Permanent Way, which is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, and renewal of the railway track and related structures within its jurisdiction, also inspected the chopped tree to assess its actual location on the railway land along the stretch.

Railway officials said that apart from trespassing offences, illegal chopping of a tree on railway land also exposes other railway property to miscreants for criminal activities. Such an act of causing damage to railway property should be eliminated.

RPF has formed special teams to investigate the issue. Police said that a wood-cutting godown was operating near the chopped tree for many years. The godown operators were involved in buying fallen trees on arterial stretches, including the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway, through a public auction. A team has been sent to trace the godown operators, who have been absconding since the tree-chopping incident became public, police said.