Feud between police and Kanniyakumari foresters intensifies

The foresters, who feel that they have been let down for doing their job, have now reached out to higher authorities in the government in Chennai seeking justice. The tussle between district superintendent of police and district forest office has reached the secretariat, with Kanniyakumari Collector Prashant M Wadnere reportedly finding himself in a tight spot.

“Post the Kurangani fire tragedy, the Forest Department has been at the receiving end. Those who trespass are booked. In this case, nine people were found illegally entering the reserve forest and booked with a compound fine. Their vehicle was detained till its original owner produced the papers,” explained a range officer, requesting anonymity.

“The Police Inspector Samson who came in support of the nine persons and took away the vehicle was not detained but was questioned for about an hour on their purpose of visit and outsiders being taken into the forest,” the official explained.

“We clarified the issue after senior police officials intervened, but they have registered cases against 14 foresters, including an assistant conservator of forests. Will the police allow if we trespass into their station and take away a vehicle,” asked a forest guard.

When contacted, District SP K K Sreenath said the foresters had illegally detained inspector Samson, who is on an anti-Naxal operation. “There is no need for permission to carry out such operations. Although the vehicle is not in the name of the detained officer, he has been using the vehicle for some months. The foresters have taken the law into their hands. We will proceed with the case with restrictions as the foresters are also government staff,” he told DT Next.

Meanwhile, the Kanniyakumari foresters have sent evidences to the Forest Department headquarters in Chennai explaining that it was a case of illegal trespass into the forest and the private vehicle compounded by the range officer was illegally taken out of their custody.

“The videos taken by our staff show that they were on a joy trip for Pongal. It failed to look like an anti-Naxal operation. We have advised the foresters to let go of this issue as we need the police support. But if a charge sheet is framed against our personnel, we will be forced to seek justice in the court,” a senior forest official in Chennai said.