MP forest team attacked during anti-timber smuggling operation; Deputy Ranger injured

Ashoknagar, July 28 (AHN) A Deputy Ranger was seriously injured, and two other forest personnel sustained injuries after a Forest Department team was allegedly attacked while seizing a bullock cart loaded with illegally felled timber in Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar district, police said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on Monday near Kiraula village under the Mungaoli Forest Range when an eight-member forest team acted on a tip-off about the illegal transportation of timber from a nearby forest.

According to police, the team intercepted a bullock cart carrying the timber and seized it. The cart was being taken to Mungaoli with the help of a tractor when a group of people allegedly attacked the officials.

Confirming the incident, Mungaoli Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDOP) Sanam B. Khan told AHN that around eight to ten people attacked the forest team while it was carrying out an inspection and seizure operation in the forest area.

Police said some people accompanying the seized bullock cart allegedly informed their associates. Soon, around 8-10 persons arrived on five motorcycles, blocked the tractor and attacked the forest personnel with sticks, stones and an axe.

Deputy Ranger Kamlesh Batham suffered a fracture in his leg, while forest employee Balveer Patel and two other staff members also sustained injuries.

The injured officials were taken to Mungaoli Civil Hospital. After primary treatment, Batham was referred to the district hospital.

“The attackers assaulted the forest personnel with sticks, stones and an axe. A case is being registered, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved,” a police official said.

Police said the accused fled towards the nearby forest after the attack.

Preliminary information suggests they are residents of Jiyajigarh village, though their identities are yet to be established.

"The accused are yet to be identified. Police teams have been deployed to trace and arrest them. Strict legal action will be taken against those found involved," Khan said.