Bhubaneswar: Trouble seemed to have mounted for Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Pattamundai Model Police Station, Bandana Patra, over her alleged harassment and intimidation of Forest department officials probing wildlife crime.
In a fresh development over the issue, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) has written to the Director General of Police (DGP) seeking action against the IIC. Earlier, the Special Secretary to the Forest Department had also written to the Central Range Inspector General (IG) of Police for a thorough investigation into the allegation against Bandana Patra.
The controversy had cropped up following a dispute between Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Gagan Mallik and the Pattamundai IIC over a pangolin scale smuggling case.
During the interrogation of three accused persons arrested for alleged trafficking of pangolin scales, the IIC allegedly misbehaved the ACF. It is alleged that the IIC barged into the office of the ACF and sought to know as to why the arrests were made without her consent. It was also alleged that she subsequently threatened the ACF with false cases.
Following a formal complaint by ACF Gagan Mallik sent through forest officers’ association, the issue had escalated further.
As the matter drew attention at higher administrative levels, demands have intensified for strict action against the Pattamundai IIC, with the case now under scrutiny by senior police and forest officials.
No comments were available either from the IIC or the ACF in this regard.
It may be noted that the Forest department had suspected an alleged nexus between IIC Patra and the accused persons involved in the pangolin scale smuggling. As per allegations, the IIC had entered the Forest Department office in Rajnagar on January 21 and abused the staff.
Following the incident, Forest Department staff had met Rajnagar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and demanded strict action against the IIC. The DFO had said that the matter has been reported to higher authorities as well as the Kendrapada SP for appropriate steps.
