Mobs loot teak trees

Mobs loot teak trees

SEMARANG: Hundreds of locals have chopped down and stolen
around 3,500 teak trees from forests around Randegan and Jeruk
villages in Losari, Brebes, Central Java, over the past three
days.

"After parts of the forests were cleared, they planted plots
with corn, peanuts and soybeans," Brebes regent Moh. Tajuddin
Nuraly said on Thursday.

People from Cirebon in West Java also took part in the
looting, he said.

The teak forests cover 600 hectares of land.

"The forest police and officials cannot do much about it as
they are outnumbered by the looters, including housewives and
children. They did not even feel scared when police fired warning
shots," the regent said.

The group used electric chain saws and axes in their illegal
activities, he said. A joint team from the forest ministry, the
military and the police has been set up to take action against
the looters. (har/edt)