Forest guards fire at timber smugglers, villager dies Angry forest villagers of Mantharam demand compensation

TT, 14.01.20, Alipurduar: One person died when forest guards opened fire to quell a group of alleged timber smugglers in the Jaldapara National Park early on Monday morning.

But residents of Mantharam in the Kodalbusty range of Jaldapara wildlife division in Alipurduar district said the deceased man, Bimal Rava, had nothing to do with the timber smuggling. The forest villagers went on the rampage at the Mantharam beat office following the death.

Sources said a gang of 20 to 25 timber smugglers had entered the Jaldapara forest on Sunday night. “Around 1am, a patrolling team of forest guards heard the sounds of tree being felled and reached the spot. The guards challenged the smugglers who in turn hurled stones. The guards opened fire and one person suffered bullet injuries. Other gang members escaped,” said a forester.

Rava, 33, succumbed to the injuries while being taken to the Alipurduar district hospital.

Hundreds of angry villagers gathered in front of the nearby beat office in Mantharam, alleging that Rava had been killed without any provocation. “We want the forest department to give compensation to the victim’s kin and a job for one of his family members. As forest villagers, we have the right to enter the jungle,” said Pabitra Rava, a resident of Khariabusty.

The beat office and a vehicle of the forest department were vandalised. Later, some protesters went to the Kodalbusty range office and held a demonstration.

State forest minister Rajib Banerjee, who was here on Monday to attend an official programme, said the forest guard concerned had been taken off duty.

“The principal chief conservator of the state has been asked to conduct an investigation and submit a report within seven days. We would then take appropriate steps,” said Banerjee.