Task force opens fire in air, seizes logs

According to RSASTF officials, RSI Bhaskar and his team encountered a group of smugglers who attacked the task force with axes, knives and even pelted stones. However, the task force managed to escape and opened fire in the air. 

The smugglers fled into the forest leaving behind the logs and weapons used in the attack. The task force team, however, arrested one smuggler who belonged to Javadhu Malai of Tiruvannamalai District in Tamil Nadu and seized 13 red sander logs from him. 

But, one of the task force persons suffered severe injuries in the attack and was shifted to hospital for treatment. Kantha Rao, IG, who is in-charge of the task force, reached the spot along with Inspector Madhubabu, RI Chandu, SI Ashok Kumar and instructed his men to intensify the search for smugglers. Kantha Rao also said that the task force team had opened fire only in defence. Fearing that they will be gunned down, the smugglers had fled.   

He called on the people of the villages in the fringes of the Seshacalam forest to come forward to protect e tree wealth and sought their help in identifying people wielding weapons. He also warned the smugglers that the task force would open fire without hesitation if they tried to attack them. 

Later, DSP Chidananda Reddy and Inspector Mahesh lodged a complaint with Bakarapet police regarding the attack.