The STF says that the forest reserves located in the central area of Vakarai are being cleared by various groups in an organized manner.
Four persons have been arrested by the STF at Vakarai yesterday for clearing 10 acres of such a reserve.
The STF said that the suspects are aged 35, 48, 55 and 67 and are residents of Vakarai,
According to the intelligence sources, they cleared the lands first cultivating on the lands and then creating villages, in an organized manner.
Intelligence sources say that such rackets have been going on in the Eastern Province for some time.
