Five forest and police personnel were seriously injured when they were attacked by villagers at Jaruva plantation under Tedukheda forest area in Damoh district on Saturday. Two of the injured have been referred to Jabalpur in a serious condition.
According to the forest department officials, between Tuesday and Wednesday around 4,000 newly planted teak saplings were allegedly dug up and thrown away by unidentified people from the Jaruva plantations following which a joint team of forest and police department arrived on the spot for inquiry on Saturday afternoon. However, irate villagers, including women, attacked them with batons.
Five forest and police personnel sustained serious injury in the attack. Forest ranger RN Singh and forest beat guard Brijesh Kaul were referred to Jabalpur for treatment in a serious state, while town inspector KD Singh and two others are undergoing treatment at Damoh district hospital.
Heavy police force has been rushed to the spot with senior officials. The injured told media persons that around 20 villagers, including women, had attacked them. The police have lodged an FIR in the matter.
Damoh superintendent of police (SP) Sidharth Bahuguna said: "Three forest and two police personnel were injured in the attack. Search is on for the accused."
{{/usCountry}}Damoh superintendent of police (SP) Sidharth Bahuguna said: "Three forest and two police personnel were injured in the attack. Search is on for the accused."
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the villagers have refuted the forest department charge that 4,000 teak saplings were dug up. They in turn alleged that so many teak saplings were never planted in the area.