Odisha Forest Dept Employees Launch Symbolic Protest Against Killing Of Forester In Similipal

Bhubaneswar: Non-gazetted employees of the Forest department launched a symbolic protest on Monday protesting the killing of two forest officials since last month by poachers in Similipal sanctuary in Mayurbhanj district.

While forester Mati Hansda was shot dead by poachers on Friday night at Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district, a forest guard had been killed in a similar fashion inside Similipal sanctuary last month.

As part of the protest launched under the banner of Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Services Association, the agitating employees are also pressing for their five-point charter of demands at the earliest.

According to president of the association Jagabandhu Patra, the decision to hold symbolic protest was taken at a meeting attended by the Sangh representatives from 29 forest zones in the state.

As per the decision, 5,376 forest guards, 2,530 foresters and 282 deputy rangers will participate in the protest. These officials will attend their assigned duty but will refrain from patrolling in the forest areas.

Stating that the symbolic protest would continue till July 8, Patra said if the state government fails to address their 5-point charter of demands, they would resort to mass agitation from July 10. He threatened that hundreds of Forest employees will stage demonstration at Lower PMG Square in Bhubaneswar to draw the attention of the government.

Among others, their demands include adequate security to the Forest staff going on patrolling duty considering recent fatal attacks on them by the armed poachers in different parts of the state.

Earlier on Sunday, local people gheraoed School and Mass Education Minister Sudam Marndi at Jashipur in Mayurbhanj district where he had gone to attend the cremation of forester Mati Hansda, who was shot dead by poachers in Similipal sanctuary.

It may be noted that Hansda was shot dead by poachers while patrolling in Karanjia of the district. Earlier, two Forest officials were killed in the past two months. A 35-year-old forest guard was shot dead by a group of poachers last month.