TURA, Oct 1 - A gang of about 20 timber smugglers attacked a group of forest guards who had chased a vehicle inside Rongrengre Forest Reserve. The smugglers, who dispersed when chased, later regrouped and attacked the forest guards, leaving one injured.
The Reserve in East Garo Hills has been under severe pressure from smugglers who have literally cut down trees in the entire reserve. Only 40 per cent of the forest cover remains with prized teak and sal being cut on a daily basis by criminals.
The unarmed forest guards had gone after the gang based on a tip off. The incident happened at about 2 am on September 30.
�A team of about 12-13 forest guards had gone after the smuggling gang who abandoned the truck in the middle of the forest. They had removed the battery of the truck so that it could not be taken by the forest guards,� said Ranger Chisaka Marak.
The Ranger asked one team to stay back with the vehicle while asking the other team to come back for a battery.
�The gang attacked the men left behind with stones forcing the guards to run for their lives. One of the forest guards fell while running and the gang pounced on him. They only left him thinking he was dead,� stated Marak.
The injured forester suffered multiple injuries to head, chest, leg and hands and has been rushed to Guwahati for treatment. The truck abandoned by the gang was later recovered from the spot.
TURA, Oct 1 - A gang of about 20 timber smugglers attacked a group of forest guards who had chased a vehicle inside Rongrengre Forest Reserve. The smugglers, who dispersed when chased, later regrouped and attacked the forest guards, leaving one injured.
The Reserve in East Garo Hills has been under severe pressure from smugglers who have literally cut down trees in the entire reserve. Only 40 per cent of the forest cover remains with prized teak and sal being cut on a daily basis by criminals.
The unarmed forest guards had gone after the gang based on a tip off. The incident happened at about 2 am on September 30.
�A team of about 12-13 forest guards had gone after the smuggling gang who abandoned the truck in the middle of the forest. They had removed the battery of the truck so that it could not be taken by the forest guards,� said Ranger Chisaka Marak.
The Ranger asked one team to stay back with the vehicle while asking the other team to come back for a battery.
�The gang attacked the men left behind with stones forcing the guards to run for their lives. One of the forest guards fell while running and the gang pounced on him. They only left him thinking he was dead,� stated Marak.
The injured forester suffered multiple injuries to head, chest, leg and hands and has been rushed to Guwahati for treatment. The truck abandoned by the gang was later recovered from the spot.
