Illegal Mining Violence Erupts in Shahdol: Forest Officials Attacked by Coal Transporters
Violence associated with illegal mining activities has resurfaced in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, following a disturbing incident where coal transporters allegedly assaulted a forest department team. The late-night confrontation on February 11 involved attackers dragging a ranger from his vehicle and verbally abusing the divisional forest officer (DFO), highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.
FIR Registered After 24-Hour Delay
An FIR was officially registered at the Sohagpur police station late on Thursday, nearly 24 hours after the violent episode. The complaint names Betan Singh, Chintu Singh, Raju Singh, and several other individuals as accused. This delay in legal action has raised concerns about the responsiveness of local law enforcement to such critical incidents.
Details of the Forest Department Operation
According to the complaint filed by ranger Ramnaresh Vishwakarma, the forest team was acting on specific intelligence regarding a tractor suspected of transporting illegal coal in Khitauli village. Under the direct instructions of South Shahdol DFO Shraddha Pandre, the team arrived at the location around 8 pm. However, the tractor managed to flee the scene after hastily unloading its illicit cargo.
Violent Confrontation and Threats
As the forest department vehicles were returning around 10 pm, they were intercepted near Barkheda village. Vishwakarma alleged that the accused, accompanied by 10 to 12 associates, blocked his vehicle and launched a verbal tirade against DFO Shraddha Pandre. The attackers reportedly threatened to shoot the officials and attempted to physically remove Vishwakarma by his collar while trying to seize the car keys.
Forest guard Rahul Sharma was also allegedly dragged from the vehicle during the altercation. The assailants used sticks to attack the vehicles, causing significant damage. Two additional forest department vehicles were targeted in the chaos, escalating the severity of the incident.
Chaos and Safe Evacuation
During the tumultuous confrontation, beat guard Sandeep Singh Chauhan briefly became separated from the rest of the team. Fortunately, he was later safely escorted out of the area, avoiding further harm. This incident underscores the dangerous conditions faced by forest officials while combating illegal mining operations in Shahdol.
The attack has sparked renewed calls for enhanced security measures and stricter enforcement against illegal mining activities in the region. Authorities are now under pressure to ensure the safety of forest personnel and to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.
