Cops fined over tree hacking

Hyderabad: The Telangana state forest department has imposed a fine of Rs 11,030 on police staff of the Panjagutta ACP office, following the felling of two trees on the office premises on Wednesday.

Over the years, the authorities have been regularly cutting down trees or chopping off branches to clear hindrances to traffic on Panjagutta’s narrow stretch of road.

But on June 20, the incident of cutting down the trees completely was noticed during morning hours drawing widespread criticism. Later, a team of forest officials began an investigation and also visited the place to ascertain the facts. The forest officials on Thursday fined the staff involved in the incident.