In a shocking incident, a forest range officer, Srinivasa Rao, died in the Bhadadri-Kothagudem district of Telangana after being attacked by some tribal men with sharp weapons. They were clearing a patch of land in the forest which had been newly planted by Forest Department.
This is the latest instance of conflict between farmers practicing shifting cultivation and the Forest Department staff over farming forest land.
The incident took place in the Bendalapadu forest area, Chandrugonda mandal in the Bhadari Kothagudem district. Srinivasa Rao, a decorated officer was attacked when he went to the spot after receiving information that the tribals were clearing the area where the Forest Department had newly-planted saplings. He received grievous injuries in neck, chest and face and died at Khammam Hospital where he was shifted for treatment.
Expressing shock over the incident, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao directed DGP Mahender Reddy to take legal action against the culprits and ensure that they are punished stringently. He made it clear that attack on government employees will not be tolerated.
Rao announced Rs 50 lakh as ex gratia for the bereaved family and the state will pay his salary till his retirement. A government job will be provided to a family member on compassion grounds. He also directed two ministers to attend his funeral which will be conducted with full state rights.
In the past few years, there have been an increasing number of conflicts over podu (forest) lands in Telangana and although the chief minister had promised to resolve the issue it flares up during the beginning of farm season.