BARGARH: Timber mafia allegedly murdered a forester working under Sohela forest range in the district by driving a timber-laden van over him at Karlabahal on Bijepur-Laumunda Road under Melchhamunda police limits here on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Ashwini Kumar Mohanty (57). Mohanty was rushed to Bijepur CHC but succumbed while being shifted to Bargarh DHH.
acting on a tip off, six bike-borne forest staff waylaid the illegal timber-laden vehicle at Karlabahal. Finding himself trapped, the driver of the van hit Mohanty’s vehicle and ran over him before fleeing.