Mayurbhanj: Members of the Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Services Association on Monday launched a symbolic protest at Karanjia in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district to press for their 5-point charter of demands. The Forest Department employees are protesting against the killing of forester Mati Hansda, who was shot dead by poachers on Friday night.
The protestors met the Similipal Tiger Project director today Shimilipal with their 5-point demand and said that no forester, forest guard, forest rangers, and deputy range officers will work at the headquarters. They further warned that they will not patrol the forest or observe wild animals till July 8. The association has also threatened to intensify their protest at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar from July 10 if their demands are not met.
They, however, said that patrolling will not be affected in Similipal Sanctuary as other officials will continue with their duties.
Khageshwar Shetty, chairman of the association, said, “During our symbolic protest, we will not go on patrolling but do other office work. Lives are being lost during patrolling, so we will refrain from it. If our demands are not met, we all will go on leave and launch a protest at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar from July 10.”
It is worth mentioning here that a forest ranger was shot dead by poachers in the Gamuchajharan area of Simlipal range in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district last month. Another forester was also shot dead by some poachers in Similipal sanctuary a few days before. Another forester, Mati Hansda, was shot dead by poachers at Karanjia in the Mayurbhanj district last week. These two successive killings of foresters in the Simlipal have given rise to widespread resentment among the Forest department staff in the region.
