Maoists ransack forest office, thrash guards in Gadchiroli

Nagpur: The rebels of banned Communist Party of India (Maoists) damaged a forest beat office at Gatta Jambia in Etapalli taluka of Bhamragarh division, just around 700 metres from police station, in sensitive south Gadchiroli in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Maoists also assaulted two forest guards Govinda Dohtare of Gatta Beat and Raju Zore of Kunjemarka Beat. The rebels decamped with guards’ personal belongings including mobile phones. They also set bike of one of the guards on fire.
Police said around 15 armed Maoist guerrillas had into the office and ransacked the place. They damaged some files and also brought down portions of the walls. A tin shade in front of the office was also broken.
An officer said the Maoists seemed to have carried out the ransacking to protest against construction of road connecting to the remote Gatta Jambia. “In 2016, they had damaged road construction vehicles. Even now they warned the guards against helping the government to bring roads and electricity here,” said the officer.
“These guards were also engaged in survey for lands to be made available to MSEDCL for setting up some posts and equipment to bring electrical connectivity in these remote localities,” said the officer.
It is learnt the forest guards had rushed to the police station to report the matter. “The guards were administered first aid and also counselled as they were in shock. They are still reeling under fear,” said the officer.
Senior forest officials were engaged in conducting inspection at the site along with police officials.