Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb and his police officials caught three persons illegally chopping giant teak trees along National Highway 8 at Baramura Hills range in West district of the state around 11.30pm on Tuesday.

Deb, accompanied by forest minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia and other officials, were on their way back from Kanchanpur subdivision, where tension had prevailed after a clash erupted between two communities following a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, when they saw the three cutting the segun trees.

A press release from the chief minister’s office said, “Noticing the matter, the chief minister immediately stopped his convoy and came out of the vehicle. When he asked them about the tree felling, he came to know that they had been engaged as labourers by a timber smuggler.”

“Police have arrested three persons for illegally chopping down the trees. We will also take strict action against the timber smuggler,” Deb said in a video that was shared by his officials.

He also instructed the officials concerned to investigate the matter and arrest those involved.

Deb later tweeted, “While interaction we found that they were cutting the trees illegally and then we handed over them to Police. Also asked administration to look after this issue. Gov’t of Tripura is committed to conserve our Forests and strict actions will be taken whoever breaks the rule.”