Odisha Forest Staff To Launch Symbolic Protest Seeking Security From Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of alleged killing of two Forest officials by poachers, the non-gazetted employees of the Forest department have decided to launch a symbolic protest from Monday.

Speaking to media persons on Sunday, Jagabandhu Patra, president of Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Service Sangh, said the decision on starting the 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 in the day, 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.

Also Read: Odisha Minister Sudam Marndi Gheraoed By Locals Over Forester Killing In Similipal