Amaravati, Sep 13 (IANS) Three forest officials were injured after red sander smugglers rammed into their patrol vehicle in Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district on Sunday, officials said
The incident occurred near Bommayigaripalli village in Rompicherla Mandal when red sander smugglers rammed their speeding vehicle into the forest patrol vehicle while attempting to break through a blockade.
The driver of the forest patrol vehicle and two smugglers were also injured in the incident during ‘Operation Aranya’ of the Forest Department to check red sander smuggling.
The forest officials had parked their vehicle across the road to prevent the smugglers, following a tip-off about the movement of a gang carrying red sanders logs.
However, the smugglers allegedly accelerated towards the patrol vehicle and rammed it in an attempt to flee.
The forest personnel risked their lives to take two suspects into custody and seized red sanders logs, a weighing machine, a saw blade, axes, and the vehicle used for smuggling.
The injured were identified as Forest Section Officer K. Prakash Kumar, Forest Beat Officers P. Reddy Prasad and K. Pratap, and the vehicle driver Charan.
They have been admitted to the SVRR Government Hospital in Tirupati for treatment.
Deputy Chief Minister and Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan commended the officers who risked their lives to apprehend red sandalwood smugglers during ‘Operation Aranya’ as he inquired with senior Forest Department officials about the details of the incident.
Officials apprised him that the injured staff members are currently out of danger and are undergoing treatment. He assured that the injured staff would receive superior medical care and that the government would bear the entire cost of treatment.
Pawan Kalyan directed that necessary measures be taken and instructed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) to oversee the situation until the staff members fully recover.
He made it clear that strict action would be taken against those plundering forest wealth and that there would be absolutely no compromise on this matter.
He directed officials to take the strictest legal action against those involved in red sanders smuggling, forest-related crimes, and attacks on government personnel on duty. He stated that the coalition government is firm in its resolve to curb forest crimes.
He further instructed the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force officials to maintain special surveillance on smuggling gangs and to swiftly apprehend the three remaining suspects who are currently at large.
–IANS
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