Bhubaneswar: Two forest watchers sustained critical injuries when unidentified miscreants opened fire at them during their patrolling duty in Odisha’s Boudh district late Tuesday night.
According to reports, the incident occurred near Khaliapali Chhak under the Baghipada forest section in the district.
One forest watcher was shot in his shoulder, while the other received bullet injuries on his back.
The injured forest watchers have been identified as Nilamani Pradhan of Saranda village and Naba Sahu of Badabag village. They have been admitted to the Boudh district headquarters hospital (DHH). Later, Nilamani was shifted to VIMSAR in Sambalpur after his condition deteriorated.
A team of five forest officials and guards were patrolling duty in the Baghiapada section on Tuesday night and when they reached Khaliapalli, four unidentified miscreants reached the place on a motorbike and opened fire at the team, according to Boudh DFO Debaprya Kampa.
Kampa further said that the incident occurred at around 1.30 am. The attackers have not been identified while an investigation is underway.
On being informed, local police reached the spot and started an investigation. Although the miscreants have not been identified, police suspect that the Forest personnel were attacked by the mafia. Incidentally, the wildlife and timber mafia is on the back foot now lowing to frequent patrolling and arrests of poachers and the destruction of ganja (marijuana) crops in the region.
