VS demands probe into forest fires

KOZHIKODE: Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan has demanded a high-level enquiry into the fire at the sandalwood forests of Marayur. According to a statement issued here on Saturday, Achuthanandan said there were news reports that theft of sandalwood trees had resumed in Marayur since the UDF government came to power.“It is learnt that the fire was set to facilitate the felling and transport of sandalwood trees. The government should take urgent measures to check smuggling of sandalwood and conduct a comprehensive enquiry into the whole incident,” he demanded.The wildfire that broke out at Marayur on Friday destroyed around 15 hectares of forest.