Bhubaneswar: The state government has deployed police personnel to provide protection to Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district, as the protection assistants and non-gazetted forest officials are on a cease-work strike. The developments have come following the murder of two of their colleagues by poachers in the national park. While 30 armed police constables have already been deployed in 16 critical ranges, another 100 police personnel will be deployed there soon, said Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) of STR Prakash Chand Gogineni, Monday.
Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police (SP) B. Gangadhar said two platoons of police force have been deployed in STR for search operations and patrolling. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF)-wildlife, SK Popli said other forest officials from nearby ranges have also been mobilised to the STR. The non-gazetted forest officials have been in protest since June 19 over a 7-point charter of demands. They are on duty, but not conducting patrolling in the forest area. The officials have threatened to go on leave en masse from July 10, if their demands are not fulfilled.
On the other hand, the protection assistants of STR have been on indefinite strike since July 2. Their demands include the provision of bulletproof jackets, Rs 30 lakh compensation to the kin of the deceased who died in the line of duty, remuneration against 24-hour duty, a hike in salary, and insurance benefits among others. PCCF Debidutta Biswal said the state government is positively considering their demands, which can be fulfilled immediately. He again appealed to the protesting forest officials to withdraw their protest and join duty.
On the protection of forest and wildlife, the PCCF said the DFOs have been asked to take action against the field officials if the safety and security of the forest and wildlife were compromised anywhere.
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Meanwhile, the police Monday unearthed an illegal arms manufacturing unit in the Mayurbhanj district during a special search operation, a top police official said. The police also arrested a man in this connection and charged him with supplying country-made guns to poachers. A country-made gun along with several pieces of equipment required to manufacture guns was seized during the operation in Bhejidiha village under Mahuldiha police station, Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police B Gangadhar said.
In another house in the village, the police found 110 pangolin scales, the SP said. The owner of the house, who is allegedly a poacher, managed to escape. Stating that the operation was launched in the wake of poachers killing two forest officials in Similipal National Park, the SP warned the villagers to surrender all illegal weapons in their possession by July 31. Otherwise, strong action will be taken against them, he said.