Indore:
Forest department officials are angry with Simrol police for registering an FIR against Choral deputy ranger following a complaint by villagers of Ashapura forest area where he had gone to remove encroachments. They have also complained to the CCF and APCCF in this regard.
Forest officials said when deputy ranger Rajesh Jarwal had gone to remove encroachment from Ashapura, he had been attacked by the villagers and he had run for his life, and he was the victim, but a FIR was registered against him.
Also, there is a Home Ministry order of 2012 stating that police cannot register cases against forest officials who have gone on an anti-encroachment drive on the basis of complaints by affected villagers. If at all a FIR has to be registered against a forest official, then discussion should be held with senior forest official. The forest officials also complained that on several occasions when they have asked for police force from the Simrol police station while going for an anti-encroachment drive, they have been denied the needed force. As a result, forest officials from Mhow-Manpur range and flying squad have to be sent for assistance while removing encroachments from Umath, Beka, Raskudia, Rajpura, Sendal-Mendal, Ashapura among other places.
“I have spoken to Police Commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra several times. On the other hand, TI RNS Bhadauria says that if force is available then it is sent. But many times the police force is asked for on time,” DFO Narendra Pandwa said.
