Security of wildlife in the east zone including Baleswar, Baripada and Bhadrak could be at stake as the forest officials have threatened to embark on agitation from Monday in protest against police inaction against miscreants who made physical attack against their men on Thursday besides ransacking a beat house inside the Kuldhia Sanctuary.
The ‘Odisha Non-gazetted Forest Service Association’ has submitted a memorandum to the district wildlife head as well as the district Collector venting their concern and anguish.
The association besides condemning attack against their men also alleged that none of the culprits involved in the crime was arrested so far although six days have elapsed.
“At least seven of our men including the range officer Kuldhia were subjected to brutal attack of the miscreants. Some of them were tied and beaten in captivity. The range officer had severe head injury and his service revolver was snatched away,” said association general secretary Manwar Khan.
“The local Sarpanch had led the violence and he is moving freely. We would embark on agitation from Monday if the police fail to bring the culprits to book forthwith,” he warned.
The revolver of ranger laxman Pradhan while was missing it was found on Monday.
Nilgiri SDPO SR Mahapatra said, “Raids are going on, yet no arrest could be made as the accused persons fled their villages. The missing revolver with five live bullets inside was found intact near Hathikhulia beat house.”
“Efforts are on to nab them as soon as possible. Two platoons of police force have been deployed in the villages,” he added.
A group villagers belonging to Hathikhulia , Rairampur and Dhipasahi, in order to settle their scores following arrest of a man after seizure of country made gun and deer antlers, ransacked the Hathikhulia beat and forcibly took the forester Naresh Singh along with them and beat him.
The range officer Pradhan when went to rescue him with his force they were roughed up. DFO Harsh Bardhan Udgata said, “The latest incident has adversely impacted on the morale of our men. Not only the foresters and forest guards, the range officers too are up in arms against the attack.”
“The police should do the needful in order to instil faith of action against the culprits on them,” he said.