Two forest officers have been killed in a month allegedly by poachers, protesting forest staff raise demands
Armed police patrolling Similipal. Photo: Hrusikesh Mohanty The Odisha government deployed armed police personnel at the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) on July 3, 2023, to protect the 2,700 square kilometre reserve area that is home to unique melanistic tigers.
The Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change of the Odisha government initiated such arrangements as non-gazetted forest staff and protection assistants had gone on strike over the last few weeks, demanding fulfillment of their demands.
“We have deployed over 100 personnel of the Odisha Special Armed Police Force in the Similipal National Park. The armed forces will conduct patrolling along with the forest staff to prevent poaching inside the STR,” said SP (Mayurbhanj) B Gangadhar.
He added that in the coming days, more forces would be deployed in the STR according to the decision of the government.
Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) Prakash Chand Gogineni said in accordance with the directions of the SP, as many as 30 policemen have been posted at STR to look into safety measures. “There are 16 ranges in STR and as of now, police have been deployed in Udala, Jashipur and Khunta ranges,” he said.
He added the range officers and assistant conservator of forests of the STR will be accompanied by police personnel on patrol to prevent poaching inside the core area of STR.
The non-gazetted forest staff went on strike from June 20 by staying away from foot patrolling across the state after two forest staff were allegedly killed by suspected poachers in a month.
Around 600 protection assistants (PA) are on indefinite strike over their five-charter demands including provision of bulletproof jackets, Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the kin of the deceased who died in the line of duty, increase in salary, remuneration against 24-hour duty and insurance benefits among others.
The PAs who took part in the dharna claimed they had submitted a memorandum to Forest and Environment Minister Pradeep Amat, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the RCCF of STR several times in the past. But demands had remained unfulfilled, they alleged.
On June 17, some unidentified poachers allegedly shot dead Mati Hansda, 45, a forester inside STR, while he was on night patrol.
Before this, on May 22, suspected poachers gunned down forest guard Bimal Kumar Jena, 40, who was patrolling Baunsakhala under the Pithabata range in a core area of the sanctuary.
A high level team led by Chandra Prakash Goyal, director general of forests, had visited the STF and discussed the security measures in the reserve.
On the basis of the recommendation of the team, Union Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Bhupendra Yadav wrote a letter to Patnaik, urging him to improve the intelligence network, intensify patrolling and combing operation in STR.
In a recent high-level meeting, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena directed the setting up of a Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising both forest and police personnel, with one company of armed police force under the chairmanship of the field director for protection of STR.
At least 22 suspected poachers, allegedly involved in killing the forest staff, have been arrested. On July 3, Jitu Lohar of Bhejidiha, 25, was arrested for allegedly running a country-made gun manufacturing unit and supplying poachers, said the SP. The police have seized 14 country-made guns from fringe villages of the STR.
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