5 forest staff spread rumours of Maoist presence to spook poachers, booked

Bhubaneswar/Keonjhar: Police have registered a case against five forest personnel, including a range officer of Anandpur wildlife division, for allegedly spreading a rumour about Maoist presence in a forest patch under the division's jurisdiction in an apparent bid to terrorise poachers and exert their own influence. The forest department has also launched departmental proceedings against them.

Brijesh Rai, DIG (western range), said the forest personnel were booked under various BNS sections for spreading false information with an intent to misuse their power to harm.

The move followed concerns among residents close to the forest areas about Maoist presence in the area. "In response to widespread concern, we conducted a thorough and multi-layered investigation to ascertain the veracity of Maoist presence. Specialised teams comprising technical experts, scientific personnel and experienced field units were deployed. But no Maoist presence was found," Rai told TOI. He said since 2006 the area is free from Maoist menace.

"Inputs gathered from credible sources, including ex-Maoist sympathisers and confidential informers, categorically denied any Maoist activity. The forest officials who were booked also tried to wrongly portray hunting activities as Maoist violence, further amplifying through additional false information," a senior police officer said.

To verify the claims and rumours of forest personnel, police analysed 55 trap cameras and mobile phones of suspicious persons.

Abhay Kumar Dalei, divisional forest officer, Anandpur division, said there is a complaint against one range officer, a forester, one forest guard and two forest watchers. "Departmental proceedings are on and we are looking into all aspects. Anyone found guilty won't be spared. Truth will emerge after the investigation gets over," said Dalei.

Forest officials said Anandapur division is part of Similipal landscape, though it is not within Similipal Tiger Reserve. Considering the concentration of both herbivores and carnivores, the division comes under the administrative control of the wildlife wing. "The role of a particular forest officer is under scrutiny. Names of the booked personnel haven't been made public yet," said a police officer.