WARANGAL: Unknown persons, suspected to be Maoists, damaged a hut and a jeep belonging to the forest department late on Friday in the agency areas of Tadwai mandal in the district.
As the incident took place in the once Naxal-infested area, there was an apprehension of Maoist resurgence in the state. Police, however, said it might be some tribals who resorted to the attack but are also investigating other angles.
Two forest watchers, Gandarvula Ravi and Gandarvula Sammaiah, were sleeping adjacent to the hut when they heard some noise and woke up. By that time, the roof of the hut was reduced to ashes and the miscreants disappeared into the forests, Kazipet wildlife DFO Purushotham said. Also, a Mahindra Jeep used by the department was set on fire. According to police, Maoist party cadre set ablaze the hut constructed for tourism purpose and the jeep. They left a letter on a white paper with red ink demanding the government to stop Operation Green Hunt immediately, withdraw Tiger Zone proposal and Open Cast mining. The letter was released on the name of Karimnagar, Khammam and Warangal secretary Damodar. They also demanded the state government to not take back tribal lands and opposed Haritha Haram. Stating the incident is not a Maoist attack, Vishwajit Kampati, ASP Mulugu said they are probing in all angles. Sources said about four days ago, the forest department staff destroyed huts of tribals (Gutti Koyas) in deep forest and asked them not to chop off the trees as it will lead to deforestation.
Eturunagaram police registered cases against Damodar and other unidentified persons under Sections 147, 149, 436 and section 3 and 4 of PDP Act and section 13 of UAPA Act, 1967.