To curb illicit timber felling in the East:

STF to the forefront -STF Zonal Commander Vavuniya

By Kurulu Kariyakarawana

Police Special Task Force or the paramilitary division of the Police Department was one of the special units that engaged in defeating terrorism in the humanitarian mission along with the military in the Northern Province.

Illicit timber felling on the rise

STF on the prowl

Taking illicitly felled timber

The reputation earned for its battle hardened soldiers created by its prestigious training have always assisted the three main

Forces in the operational areas and crucial locations in the south and had been able to initiate on their own. Especially to man areas cleared by the military forces in the Northern frontlines was one of the significant duties undertaken by the STF to strengthen civil security and sustain peace and normalcy in the cleared areas.

Custer

A cluster of STF Zonal Divisions were set up in the vital areas of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Trincomalee, Periyamadu, Puttalam, Dambulla and Vavuniya following the clearing of the entire North in 2009.

Explaining the present situation Vavuniya STF Zonal Commander SP Ayasa Karunaratne said that the forces are currently deployed in assistance of the local police stations and divisions.

The objective is to assist the local police in maintaining law and order as well as to control antisocial elements.With regaining the land once controlled by the LTTE and having conducted resettlement programs, one of the important factors was to establish law and order in these areas thus a police force was essential to handle day- to- day civil matters. In this regard, the assistance of the STF was paramount, being a paramilitary force and policing in non developed remote areas was a challenge faced by the regular police force.

Although murder, assault, theft, robbery or sexual abuse was frequently reported in the civil areas in the South, it is seldom that these crimes are reported in the recently resettled areas in the North and East perhaps due to a lesser population density. However, unlawful activities like illicit timber felling and smuggling narcotics have been observed and is said to be on a gradual rise.

Lush growth of forests

Since most of these areas are abundant with lush growth of forests, illicit timber felling was on the rise and is being carried out by certain groups backed by regional politicians.

The remoteness of these areas and less poulation density in these areas have enabled the perpetrators to engage in illicit timber felling without any hindrance.

Although there are a number of police stations and police posts in the newly liberated areas, controlling these rackets is no easy task considering the strength of the police. The assistance of the STF is important in fighting the illicit timber felling menace.

These groups have even tried to surpass the local police when they were confronted with the contraband being transported to the South.

A recent incident was reported from Chunnakadu area, where a group of villagers were rounded up with several cart loads of illegally chopped timber being transported.

The group defying police orders to surrender had protested in the area in a violent manner where the STF had to be summoned to control the situation. Several persons were taken into custody and were subsequently produced in courts for illegal transportation and for chopping the wood.

It is reported that areas like Kinniya are notorious strongholds for illicit timber felling.

On Tuesday soldiers attached to Ganeshapuram STF camp arrested 12 persons engaged in illicit timber felling in forests off Periyapandirichchiwan area without permits. They were produced before the Mannar Magistrates Courts.

Nabbed

Not only illegal timber fellers but those engaged in treasure hunting were also nabbed by the STF from time to time. Instances of treasure hunting is also on the rise especially in the cleared areas where many believe that reserves of archaeologically value remain untouched.

The STF attached to Kelepuliyankulama camp on Thursday took three persons into custody while excavating for treasure in the Kebithigollewa area.

Controlling drug trafficking is also another responsibility that has fallen on the Special Task Force stationed in the North Western coastal areas. Narcotics like Heroin and Cannabis or popularly known as "Kerala Ganja,", an Indian variety of Ganja is mainly believed to be smuggled in boats through Talaimannar and Mannar. A stock of nine kilograms of Kerala Ganja was seized during a raid conducted by the STF in Mannar recently.

Apart from detecting unlawful elements the force is productively engaged in the development work in the resettling areas. Building infrastructure as well as houses and temporary shelter for resettled people is a key task. Also to conduct community projects and programs including uplift rural infrastructure is a part of post-war activity.

This includes organising health camps and medical clinics in the rural areas as well as actively engaging in dengue prevention programs. In the meantime the STF is preparing for the upcoming provincial council elections in the North where many soldiers are expected to be deployed at polling and counting centres.