Three Forest Guards Injured in Attack by Villagers in Rajasthan
Three home guards of the forest team were injured in an alleged attack by villagers in Rajasthan’s Baran district. The incident took place on Friday afternoon, and the attackers reportedly numbered between 15 and 20. The forest guards were transporting a tractor-trolley that had been seized for suspected illegal sand mining in the Parvati river bed when they were assaulted.
The assault occurred in the Bapcha police station area near Allapura village. The villagers managed to free the tractor-trolley during the attack. Jitendra Singh, Ramavtar, and Ramswroop Sen, the injured home guards, sustained minor injuries.
After the incident, the police filed a case against three identified attackers, Raghuveer Dhakad, Devkishan, and Ramkishan Kishan, along with 17-20 others. The case has been lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and an investigation is underway.
The villagers freed the tractor-trolley, said ASI Narendra Kumar, who is also the investigating officer for the case.
According to the ASI, the forest team later managed to seize the abandoned tractor-trolley. The specific sections of the IPC invoked against the attackers include 143 (unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful restraint), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal sand mining in the region and the dangers faced by law enforcement officials tasked with combating it. Illegal sand mining has long been a problem in India, with individuals exploiting riverbeds and other areas for personal gain, often leading to environmental degradation.
As investigations continue, it is crucial to ensure the safety and protection of forest guards and law enforcement officials working diligently to preserve natural resources and maintain ecological balance.