Maoists kill forester in sanctuary

[Mrudul Godbole]

Suspected Maoist shot dead a forester in a wildlife sanctuary of south-western Orissa's Nuapada district last night.

"About 50 Maoists came on Wednesday night and shot dead forester Sangram Swain at Bharuamunda forest checkgate in the Sunabeda wildlife sanctuary," said Komna police station inspector Shivram Sahoo. "We have learnt that the Maoists had come from Chhattisgarh on Tuesday and looked out for him. Swain's body was found this morning. Some Maoist leaflets were also found from the spot"

The place where the killing happened is about 25 km from Nuapada town, the district headquarter. The exact reasons of the forester's killing could not be ascertained immediately. State chief wildlife warden PN Padhi said he was at a loss to understand the reason behind the killing. "He was a good officer. We find no apparent reason why Maoists would kill him," Padhi said.

The sanctuary is contiguous to Chhattisgarh-Orissa border. In July 2009, Maoists had attacked the forest beat house in the Sunabeda sanactuary, spread over 600 sq km. Police officials in Nuapada said 4out of the 6 police stations in the district have Maoist presence. "The forest cover of the sanctuary is ideal for their congregation," the official said.

In another incident, Maoists yesterday blew up a culvert near Laxmipur in Koraput district hitting vehicular traffic. Defying the presence of large number of central paramilitary personnel are all over the district, the Maoists blew up a culvert at D D Ghat near Laxmipur, disrupting traffic on Koraput and Laxmipur.

In a related development, union home ministry has refused to send the Border Roads Organisation officials to Orissa's Malkangiri district for building of 4 bridges that would connect Orissa to Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. Maoists are not letting any construction company to construct bridges over Gurupriya river in Chitrakonda area and the over Sileru river near Motu. Sileru river flows along Andhra Pradesh and Motu border.

Construction company, Gammon India Limited, opted out of the Gurupriya bridge project following to Maoist attacks. Similarly, no contractors are ready to build a bridge over 250 metre of distance over Saberi river, that separates Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

MHA officials advised Orissa chief secretary TK Mishra to build the bridges with the help of central paramilitary forces rather than wait for BRO, as it was bogged down with pending works.

Link- http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ma...tuary/612920/0

[Sabyasachi Patra]

It is very unfortunate. We are unable to protect our officers. A few years back, a ranger was assaulted by the local goons. There are lot of illegal activities like Ganja (opium) cultivation inside the forest. Lack of motivation as the seniors don't support the upright officers, influx of drug mafia and now the maoists...the circle of woes of Sunabeda Sanctuary is complete.

This murder will soon be forgotten, as this neither has an impact the high end tourists like the recent crocodile attack on a tourist in Andaman nor this impacts the politicians. It is sad watching the plight of the forest officers.

Sabyasachi