Ashoknagar, July 28: A forest department team in Madhya Pradesh’s Ashoknagar district was attacked while conducting an operation against timber smuggling. The incident left Deputy Ranger Kamlesh Batham seriously injured, along with two other forest employees. Police confirmed the attack on Tuesday and are actively working to identify and apprehend the suspects.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on Monday near Kiraula village in the Mungawali forest range. The eight-member forest team received information about illegally cut timber being transported via bullock cart from nearby forests. Acting on this tip-off, the team intercepted and seized the cart loaded with timber.
As the seized cart was being transported to Mungawali with the help of a tractor, some individuals accompanying the cart alerted their associates. Shortly thereafter, 8 to 10 people arrived on five motorcycles, blocking the tractor’s path and launching an attack on the forest team with sticks, stones, and axes.
SDOP Sanam B. Khan from Mungawali stated that the forest team was conducting inspections and seizures in the forest area when they were assaulted by the attackers.
Deputy Ranger Kamlesh Batham suffered a fracture in his leg, while forest employee Balveer Patel and two others also sustained injuries. All injured personnel were first taken to Mungawali Civil Hospital, where Kamlesh Batham was later referred to the district hospital after receiving initial treatment.
Police reported that after the attack, the assailants fled into the nearby forest. Preliminary information suggests that the suspects are residents of Jiyajigarh village, but their official identities have yet to be confirmed.
SDOP Sanam B. Khan mentioned that multiple police teams have been deployed to identify and apprehend the attackers. He added that a case is being registered, and strict legal action will be taken against all individuals involved in the incident.
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