A raging controversy over the alleged illegal felling and smuggling of centuries-old rosewood trees from Wayanad by timber mafia has been in the Kerala Assembly.

Now, the environmental organisations in the district have sought an investigation by the Vigilance wing of the police or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the scandal under the supervision of the High Court, instead of a probe by the special investigation team constituted by the State government.

Crime Branch ADGP S Sreejith has been entrusted with the task of coordinating the high-level investigation, an order issued by Chief Secretary V P Joy said here.  According to a report of the state police chief, invaluable natural resources and properties like rosewood trees had been felled and stolen by some people at some places in the state, the Chief Secretary mentioned in the order.''It is suspected to be an outcome of a conspiracy by some people and suggested a detailed investigation to find out the truth of the alleged incidents,'' he said.

A BJP-NDA delegation, led by Union Minister V Muraleedharan, on Friday visited Muttil village in Wayanad, where crores-worth timber had allegedly been felled and smuggled from government-assigned lands earlier this year by the alleged mafia. The state government had informed the Kerala High Court that a mafia was involved in felling of trees and what was revealed in the investigation was just the tip of the iceberg.

HCL Technology offers 17 Ready-To-Use Oxygen Plants to Delhi Govt

Nagaland Govt forms parliamentary committee to Discuss Naga Peace Talks

Rajasthan Minister B.D. Kalla's statement: "First children should get vaccine..."