Gania: Forest officials of Satkosia and Baishipalli sanctuaries in Nayagarh district are a panicky lot as the ultras have set their eyes on the wildlife division to broaden their base, a report said.
Due to the presence of Maoists, all the forest beat houses in these two sanctuaries are found almost without staff after sundown. The forest personnel prefer to have a round inside the forest in plain clothes during the day and vacate the beat houses before sunset, it was learnt.
According to reports, the rebels had hurled bombs at the beat houses at Dhipisahi, Waskamaska and Basaganda and set them afire July 7. Government properties worth lakhs of rupees were reduced to ashes in the attack. Despite this, no top officials of the department visited the sites to take stock of the situation, it was learnt.
Similarly, the ultras of KKBN (Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh and Nayagarh) who are active in Baishipalli threatened the department by writing on the wall of Basaganda forest watchtower November 7. This time too, the department preferred to remain silent over the issue which triggered panic among the staffers.
On the other hand, the local divisional forest officer prefers to stay away from the area following threat by Maoists, it is alleged. Earlier, he used to stay in Chhamundia forest area and inspect various activities. The ultras, in their latest message, alleged the DFO has evicted many villagers, installed gates and CCTV cameras in the sanctuaries for his vested interests. The officer also conspired to deprive people, whose crops were damaged by wild animals, of their compensation, the Maoists alleged.
The outlaws had warned the people against joining the police force or becoming police informers. The violators would be executed in praja courts, the ultras had warned.
The forest officials, following the warning, have stopped visiting the forests fearing for their lives, it is alleged.
Several areas of tribal-dominated Badasilinga panchayat under Gania block are still plagued by a slew of problems like communication, education, healthcare, electricity and safe drinking water. The Maoists, cashing in on the opportunity, have been using the innocent tribals as their shields and managing to garner their support.
Though the ultras have been expanding their base in the sanctuaries over two years, people prefer not to take a stance either for fear or silent support to them, reports said. PNN
