Nabarangpur: Three motorbikes belonging to forest department watchers were set on fire by unidentified miscreants on Tuesday at the Bald Hill plantation of Bald Hill Reserve Forest near Khadkapadar village, under the Maidalpur section of Dabugam range in Nabarangpur district.
The vehicles belonged to forest watchers Sindhu Jani, Gajendra Jani, and Surendra Agariya.
According to Nabarangpur Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Subash Chandra Khuntia, the staff had parked their bikes while working at the plantation when the incident occurred. One bike was completely destroyed, while the other two were partially damaged.
“The attack may be linked to our plantation activities in an encroached area. Our staff were clearing encroachments to carry out the plantation, and it is suspected that miscreants involved in the encroachment may have targeted the vehicles,” said ACF Khuntia.
ACF Khuntia also stated that a written complaint has been filed at Maidalpur Police Station, and the Maidalpur Police Station IIC has initiated an inquiry. Further action will be taken after the submission of the investigation report.
