Live
- AIIMS adds 2 new MRI machines to provide more efficient & timely radiology diagnosis
- Ram Gopal Varma evades police questioning
- NFR's top Safety Officer missing after being swept away in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit River
- Sensex closes up by 992 points, Adani Ports, L&T top gainers
- Heatwave driving elevated blackout risk in Australia's most populous state
- Two autopsy assistants of RG Kar arrested on extortion charges
- Tigress ‘Zeenat’ released into wild in Similipal
- Winning bypolls does not mean Karnataka govt is scam-free: BJP
- SIT and CBI Investigate Adulterated Ghee in Srivari Laddu Prasadam
- 'Hum Honge Kamyaab': MP's social awareness campaign for women's safety
Forest staff run for cover
This time, TRS MLA threatens Forest officials in Kothagudem
Bhadradri -Kothagudem /Hyderabad: It seems there is no end to clashes between TRS leaders and state Forest Department officials.
A day after a case was registered against Adilabad Zilla Parishad Vice-Chairman K Krishna in connection with mob assault on a forest official C Anita, Bhadradri- Kothagudem district police on Monday booked a case against another TRS leader and MLA Vanama Venkateswar Rao and his son for obstructing the forest officials in discharging their duties.
The incident took place when the forest officials tried to construct a protection wall at Yellandu crossroads. Local tribals with the support of a few political leaders reportedly claimed the ownership of the land adjoining the highway road.
Officials said to prevent encroachment of the forest land, by constructing a protection wall.
At this point, an ex-MPTC leader P Srinu along with 80 villagers rushed to the place and tried to prevent them from constructing the protection wall. They claimed that they own the land and possess pattas.
When the official asked them to show the documents, they said that the MLA wants the works to be stopped.
A little later, MLA Vanama Venateswar Rao rushed to the spot and obstructed the officials from taking up the work.
The TRS leader allegedly threatened the officials of serious consequences if the work was not suspended. The Forest officials lodged complaint with the police.
But Vanama said that he stopped fencing works since the tribals claimed ownership of the land. Rao said he appealed to the officials to stop creating law and order problem and not to interfere in the tribal lands issue.
Upset over these attacks, state Forest department officials have decided to continue their fight till justice was done and steps were taken to see that such incidents do not recur.
They staged dharnas in all districts demanding stringent action against those who were involved in the attack howsoever big they might be.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Indian Forest Services (IFS) and State Forest Service Officers' Associations met at Aranya Bhavan in Hyderabad and condemned the attacks.
The meeting unanimously resolved demanding the State government to take stringent action against all those who were involved in the attacks.
"We are committed to protect and conserve forests. But, we need protection to the forest staff from revenue staff and police," the associations requested the government.
The meeting was attended by IFS Officers' Association president P Raghuveer, vice-president Munindra, secretary Lokesh Jaiswal and other state forest officers.
