TRS workers thrash officer for planting trees in depleted forest
What's the story
A Forest Range Officer (FRO) was recently thrashed by workers of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in Sirpur-Kagaznagar area of Asifabad, Telangana.
A mob, led by Komaram Bheem Asifabad Zilla Parishad vice-chairman Koneru Krishna Rao, assaulted the forest official, Chole Anita, with wooden sticks as she went to plant trees in a depleted forest in the region, as part of an afforestation campaign.
Details
Forest officials assaulted over land dispute with locals
Anita, along with 20 forest department personnel went to Sarasala village in Sirpur Mandal to plant saplings as part of Telangana government's plantation drive, 'Haritha Haaram,' The Indian Express reported.
Claiming ownership of the land, villagers protested and informed Rao, who arrived at the spot with his supporters and attacked the officials.
Rao is also the younger brother of TRS Sirpur MLA Koneru Konappa.
Information
Anita tried to escape, but was repeatedly hit on head
A video of the incident, which went viral, shows Anita trying to get away from the mob as she climbed on to a tractor. However, Rao chased her and hit her on the head repeatedly. She was quickly rescued by officials.
Twitter Post
Here's a video of the brutal assault
#WATCH Telangana: A police team forest guards were attacked allegedly by Telangana Rashtra Samithi workers in Sirpur Kagaznagar block of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, during a tree plantation drive. (29.06.2019) pic.twitter.com/pZ0H3Qg2Ud
— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2019
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'It happened too fast,' says district police chief
According to NDTV, the forest officials had anticipated conflict, given tensions over land acquisition, and hence were accompanied by 30 policemen. Speaking about why they failed to protect her, district police chief Malla Reddy told the publication that it "happened too fast."
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Wanted to do something good for society: Anita
Meanwhile, Anita said, "I came all this way through sheer hard-work, studied in a government school and had the intention to do something good for the society."
Breaking down, she added, "I have respect for my uniform. All the respect was to do something for people by wearing the uniform. And I was assaulted."
She's receiving treatment at a private hospital for her injuries.
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Attack was accidental, not intentional, says Rao
On his part, Rao said, "The forest department is terrorizing Adivasi farmers and confiscating their land forcefully. I was there to resolve the issue and to ensure justice for tribals as officials were destroying their crops in the name of afforestation."
Rao, who resigned as Zilla Parishad VC, added, "I tried to pacify department authorities but in vain. The attack was accidental, not intentional."
Action
16 people arrested; 2 police officers suspended for inaction
Now, sixteen people including Rao have been arrested. More arrests are likely to be made.
A case has been registered under various sections of the IPC for an attempt to murder, beating up government officials, damaging public property, possession of deadly weapons and unlawful assembly.
Two police officers- Khagaznagar DSP P Sambaiah and Khagaznagar Rural Police Station Circle Inspector Venkatesham- were suspended for inaction.
History
What is the land dispute in the area?
Reportedly, the land was illegally occupied by tribals but was reclaimed by the government and allotted for mandatory compensatory afforestation after a dam was constructed in the area.
However, tribes in the area and even non-tribal locals make claims to the land. According to The Times of India, 6.4 lakh acres of forest land remains disputed and several court cases are pending.