In Telangana, a forest officer was attacked and killed yesterday, allegedly by a group of tribals who were cutting down trees for cultivation in the forests of Bhadradi Kothagudem district.
Forest Range Officer killed
According to the officials, Forest Officer C. Srinivasa Rao was attacked in Chandrugonda Revenue Division Forest Area when he, along with other Forest Officers, had gone to the area to stop the felling of trees.
The rangers said that Rao is a true hero who died while trying to save the forest. Srinivas Rao was attacked with bladed weapons by members of the Guttikoya tribe while he was trying to save the plantation carried out by the forestry department during Haritaharam. Guttikoyas are trying to cut down forest plantations to invade and cultivate podu.
The deceased has been identified as Chalamala Srinivas Rao, a Forest Field Officer (FRO) from Chandrugonda camp. The incident occurred in the Errabodu forests of the Bendalapadu village. Rao is reportedly survived by wife, son and daughter.
IFS condemns attacked
The Indian Forest Service Association, tweeted IFS Association strongly condemns the brutal attack on Forest Range Officer Sh. C. Srinivasa Rao of Telangana who laid his life in the line of duty while protecting the Forest from encroachers.
CM Chandrasekhar Rao expressed sorrow
The Chief Minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, expressed his sorrow and grief on the death of the forest officer and expressed his condolences to his family members. The Chief Minister ordered the Director General of State Police, Mahender Reddy, to take immediate action and ensure severe punishment for the culprits.
The Chief Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh for the family of the deceased forest officer and a full salary up to the retirement age. He has ordered that a member of his family be given a job on compassionate grounds.
State Forest Minister A Indrakaran Reddy expressed his shock at the incident, saying: “The government has been making sincere efforts to solve the podu land issue by granting land titles to the tribes early. But it is unfortunate that they killed a forest officer who was doing his duty”.
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