MULUGU: Two forest officers were assaulted by a mob in the Damara Vayi forest area of the Tadvai forest range in Mulugu district on Thursday.
The incident occurred when Tadvai Forest Section Officer Vinod Kumar, along with Forest Beat Officer Sharath Chandra and Suman, attempted to stop Ganta Suraj Reddy from leveling forest land with a JCB. The officers intervened, seized the JCB, and transported it to the Tadvai Forest Office.
In response, Suraj Reddy called his brother Chintu and a friend named Sai. They arrived in Katapur village, blocked the forest officers' vehicle, and began attacking the staff.
During the assault, Vinod Kumar sustained a head injury and had his fingers injured. Sharath Chandra and Suman also suffered injuries. The assailants damaged the forest officers' Jeep and fled the scene with the JCB.
Following the incident, DFO Rahul Jadhav Yadav and his team arrived at the location and transported the injured officers to a private hospital for treatment. They subsequently filed a complaint with the Tadvai Police.
Speaking to the media, Rahul Jadhav Yadav condemned the attack as inhumane and urged the state government to take strict action against those responsible.
According to Tadvai sub-inspector N. Srikanth Reddy, a case has been registered against Suraj Reddy, Chintu, and Sai under Section 109 BNS based on the forest department's complaint.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister Konda Surekha reached out to the injured officers by phone and assured them that severe action would be taken against the perpetrators.