Forest staff fire in air to thwart attack by suspected cattle smugglers

Forest staff fire in air to thwart attack by suspected cattle smugglers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, August 6, 2018: An incident wherein personnel of the night patrolling squad of the Forest Department had to fire in the air to thwart attempts  made by suspected cattle smugglers to assault them, has been reported from Aletti near Sullia on August 5, Sunday. The suspected cattle traffickers later fled from the spot.

The Kalabhairava squad  of the Sullia Range of Forest Department had received a tip off that valuable wood is being smuggled  on the Sullia-Panattur route. The squad had  swung into action immediately and its personnel began  inspecting vehicles at the checkpost. At around 3.30 am they found a vehicle with three cows inside and asked those in the vehicle  to produce valid documents. Soon after one of the persons inside the vehicle alighted and tried to attack the forest personnel. When one of the personnel opened fire in the air it forced the suspected cattle smugglers to flee abandoning the vehicle.

Cases have been  registered against the accused under Section 379 and 353 for obstructing the duty of public servants.

One of the accused has got himself admitted to a hospital in Kannur claiming he has been injured in bullet hit by the forest staff.