Kalpetta:  In the case of illegal tree felling at Sugandhagiri in Wayand, two more Forest Department officials were suspended. Action was taken against Beat Forest Officers K P Saji Prasad and M K Vinod Kumar on the basis of the lapse in duty found against them. 

It was found that the officers failed to report the large-scale illegal felling of trees from Sugandhagiri. The duo were suspended by the Northern Circle CCF, taking the total number of officials being suspended to five.   

A Forest Section Officer and two watchers were suspended earlier in the case. 

A number of nine accused hailing from Wayanad and Kozhikde were arrested in the case and all of them are in remand currently. 

The permission given was to fell a total of 20 trees from the land allotted to the tribal people in the area. However, trees were cut down extensively flouting all laws. The tree felling had been continuing for the past nine months. On getting complaints from the local people, a team led by the Kalpetta Range Officer inspected the area and confirmed the incident.

A special team, led by the Forest Conservator, is investigating the case.