Forest guards to be armed

Rajahmundry: Forest officials from the rank of rangers to forest guards are going to be armed with weapons to protect the forests and the self in about three months in the state in the aftermath of killing of two forest officials by the red sanders smugglers in Seshachalam forests bordering Chittoor and Kadapa districts recently.

Though the proposal to arm the forest officials is pending for long, the state government has finally acted upon the proposal and is making arrangements to provide arms to them.

Accordingly, the state government is making efforts to import US-made double-barrel guns and also revolvers to be given away to the forest personnel from the rank of ranger, deputy ranger and forest guard.

Double-barrel guns will be given to the forest personnel of the three ranks while revolvers will be given to the senior officials.

The forest officials are making efforts to involve local police to provide training to the forest personnel on usage of weapons.

Forest rangers are already trained in usage of weapons during their induction into the department while there is need to train other forest personnel.

Forest authorities maintain that soon after weapons are given to the personnel, they will provide training on weapons to them.

Taking a cue from Madhya Pradesh where the forest personnel are armed with weapons to protect forests and self, the state government is also going to arm the forest personnel soon.

Several years ago, the forest personnel used to be armed with muskets and .303 rifles while discharging their duty to protect the forests.

However, as the personnel had become vulnerable to attacks from the Maoists as the latter started snatching away the weapons from them, the state government issued directions to the personnel to return their weapons.

Since then, the forest personnel are protecting the forests without carrying any weapons making themselves vulnerable to attacks from the smugglers and also animal poachers.

Forest authorities maintain that they are also planning to give the 303 rifles to the forest beat officers who play pivotal role in protecting the forests.

Rajahmundry circle chief conservator of forests B.K. Singh said, “The state government has given its nod to arm the forest personnel with latest weapons to help them protect forests and self shortly and we are working out plans to provide training to them on usage of weapons and also the number of personnel to be given the arms.”