Uttarakhand Forest Fires: 3 people from Bihar arrested after their video promoting forest fires goes viral
Uttarakhand Forest Fires: Uttarakhand Police arrested three persons from Bihar on Saturday for allegedly promoting forest fires in the state, according to officials.
According to the officials, a viral video on social media platforms shows the three youths promoting forest fires. In the alleged video, a youth is heard saying, "Nobody challenges those who play with fire...and Biharis are never challenged."
The accused have been identified as Brijesh Kumar, Salman, and Shukhlal, all from Bihar.
"They were booked under section 26 of the Indian Forest Act of 1927 and several other sections of the Indian Penal Code," the police said.
The incident occurred in Chamoli's Gairsain neighbourhood, according to district SP Sarvesh Panwar.
He also urged people not to set fires in forests or promote them, as it is a punishable offence. "Those who do not follow the law will be punished," the district SP added.
Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP), Uttarakhand, Abhinav Kumar, announced that multiple cases had been recorded in nine districts in connection with the state's forest fire.
According to a coordinated plan, the Police and Forest Departments will identify the regions affected by forest fires and investigate whether the flames started accidentally or on purpose.
The Uttarakhand DGP stated that "70 percent of the state is covered with forests. This means that forest and wildlife conservation is a key concern for both the forest department and the police department.
"We have taken the issue of forest fires in various forests throughout the state extremely seriously, based on the information we have received about them this year," he went on to say.
- PTC NEWS
