The Kelantan Forestry Department (JPNK) has denied that its crackdown on Tuesday on the Orang Asli who had set up blockades in Gua Musang was cruel.

"JPNK strongly denies that our operation on Nov 29 was cruel, without strategy, not a good solution and other such accusations," JPNK director Zahari Ibrahim said in a statement today.

He added that this was because the state government had tried to end the blockades through other means, such as through explanations, discussions, listening to the Orang Asli's demands, issuing a notice of eviction, cajoling and pleading and finally, the coordinated action to destroy the blockades.