Indore: Six forest department personnel sustained injuries after a mob of villagers allegedly attacked an anti-encroachment team in the Jinwani forest range of Dewas district on Saturday.
The incident took place around 11:30 am in compartment number 94 of the Kamlapur beat, where a joint team of forest officials from five ranges, accompanied by police from Kamlapur police station, had launched a drive to remove alleged illegal encroachments.
According to officials, residents of Bhilamla village opposed the action and allegedly began pelting stones at the team. The situation soon turned violent, with the mob reportedly vandalising several vehicles, including an earthmover machine deployed for the operation.
Outnumbered by the attackers, forest personnel were forced to flee into nearby fields to save themselves.
Six employees — forest guards Mohan Panchonia, Jyoti Jat, Kamal Rana, Devkaran Malviya and Suraj, along with Forester and Range Assistant (Jinwani) KK Parmar — sustained injuries in the attack. They were taken to Kamlapur Primary Health Centre and RR Hospital in Chapda for treatment.
Preliminary information suggests that a former sarpanch allegedly incited villagers to confront the authorities. Senior officials have been informed, and police have initiated an investigation into the incident.
Following the attack, a joint action by the police, district administration and forest department is expected against those involved in the violence as well as against illegal encroachments in the area.
