BENGALURU: Using firearms to defend government property and to defend themselves from hunters is well within the rules and powers vested with Forest officials when operating in forests and protected areas.
Under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Forest staff can fire in self defence at smugglers, poachers and hunters who are armed with weapons and have come for the explicit purpose of hunting and killing protected species in protected areas, say wildlife experts.
The Forest department staff, including Deputy Range Forest officers and senior officials, have more powers than police when it comes to illegal entry into wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Under Section 27 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, no person other than Forest officials can enter a sanctuary or a national park while Section 31 prohibits entry into a sanctuary with weapons.
In fact, no person shall enter a sanctuary with any kind of weapon. Section 9 prohibits hunting in sanctuaries and parks.
“On March 16, how were two groups of people (10-12 members) from Doddaalahalli village found inside a protected area with weapons and hunted species in the guise of searching for missing cows? Why nobody is questioning this?” experts point out.
Why a police case?
“If a history-sheeter or anti-social element opens fire at the police, they will shoot back in self defence. The same may have happened in the Sangam poaching case where the forest officials fired in self defence,” says G Veeresh, wildlife activist.
He also questioned, “If government employees cannot get protection, then what is the plight of the common man?
This is witch-hunting and the police case should be immediately withdrawn and a detailed inquiry held into the poaching incident.”
Praveen Bhargav of Wildlife First adds, “This incident exposes how the rule of law has been reduced to such a precarious state in this area which appears to have been turned into a fiefdom of one political family in power.
We urge the Home Minister to ensure that there is no political interference and direct the police to launch a crackdown on anti-social elements operating with impunity so that Forest personnel can perform their duties without fear.”
Wildlife conservationist D V Girish concurs and says, “Police booking a murder case against an officer, who has duly discharged his duties as per the powers given to him under the Constitution, is unfortunate and condemnable. Senior officials as well as the DCF, CWW should support and stand by Ravi and others and not bow down to political pressure.”