FIR against Congress Talala MLA for assault on foresters

6-6-2008

FIR against Congress Talala MLA for assault on foresters

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/FIR-against-Congress-Talala-MLA-for-assault-on-foresters/319256/

Junagadh, June 5 An FIR has been lodged against Bhaga Barad, the Congress MLA from Talala and 15 others, in a case of assault on senior forest officials on duty at the Sasan (Gir) forest headquarters in Junagadh on Wednesday evening.

The police have arrested one person in this connection but the rest, Barad included, are still at large. Barad is the brother of the Congress MP from Junagadh.

On Tuesday night, a forest patrol arrested five youths from Aambalash village for roaming in the prohibited sanctuary area on motorcycles. The youths were brought to the Sasan Gir forest headquarters and slapped with fines of Rs 14,000.

On Wednesday, Barad and his associates rushed to the headquarters and demanded the youth’s release, besides a waiver of the fine. The foresters refused, which led to a heated argument, culminating with the assault on Assistant Conservator of Forest (Sasan-Gir) Shashi Kumar and Range Forest Officer (Talala range) B K Parmar. One of the assailants even snatched Parmar’s revolver in the melee and escaped, but it was later found lying on the ground.

The two officers sustained head injuries and have been hospitalised at the Junagadh Civil Hospital. Later, Parmar lodged a complaint against Barad, Ramshi Aahir, Devayat Aahir, Uka bhai (Sarpanch - Pipalawa village), Janmohmed Makarani (Sarpanch-Sasan village), Khimbhai chadera and nine others unknown persons with the Talala police under Sections 395 (robbery), 332, 333 (Assaulting official on-duty), 120 (B) (conspiracy), 114 and 504 of the IPC.

Investigation Officer and Talala Circle Inspector N R Jadeja, said: “The accused MLA and 14 others have reportedly gone underground and are at large. Investigations are on to nab them. Teams have been dispatched to different places.”

Jadeja said Barad’s arrest is inevitable. “The law will take its own course. Offences registered against the accused are non-bailable,” he said.

Kishore Kotecha’s Comment: What a shameful event to celebrate World Environment Day!  Politicians should at least spare forest and its management of its malice motive of crediting vote-bank by un-necessarily interference in forester’s duties.