Imphal, May 20: The Manipur forest department suspended a deputy ranger today for dereliction of duty after a team of senior forest officials seized two truckloads of timber in Imphal East district last night.

Md Altaf Ali Khan is the beat officer of Molnoi in Chandel district. The trucks were headed towards Imphal from Khudengthabi in Chandel district without proper documents. Forest and environment minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh today said a team, led by divisional forest officer of central forest division L. Joykumar, had seized the timber at Khabam yesterday around 8pm.

Singh said Khan had issued transportation clearance which was to be issued by the Moreh range office.

The minister said if the department officials sincerely performed their duties, an annual revenue collection target of Rs 100 crore can be easily achieved.