In a recent interaction with ANI, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan expressed his concern over the issue of illegal cutting of trees in various districts of Kerala. On behalf of Bharatiya Janata Party, Muraleedharan demanded an independent agency that will not succumb to the pressure of the state government.” Officers need to be identified and authorised to investigate this massive tree cutting” V.Muraleedharan said. “We visited many districts where hundreds of trees have been cut against the rules. Govt is silent on this issue. Person(s) responsible for such acts is not limited to officers. It means that political leadership is the culprit,” he further added.