In a historic decision, the State Government has decided to arm forest personnel of the State with firearms.
As per direction of HCM, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Satyabrata Sahu has issued a notification in this effect on Wednesday.
“The Government of Odisha, being conscious of the vulnerability of forest land and forest based resources in forest area as well as wildlife in protected and reserved forest areas of the State to mounting threats to their conservation, protection and existence have decided to arm forest personnel of the State with firearms,” the ACS FE&CC said in the notification.
He said the State Government is aware that the use of firearms in discharge of their mandated duty and responsibility, may expose forest personnel to vexatious criminal proceedings and that there is need to provide them immunity from prosecution without prior sanction.
Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 (2 of 1974) and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Governor of Odisha has conferred power to the forest officials under relevant section of CrPC.
The provisions contained under sub-section-(2) of section-197 of CrPC shall apply to all the Forest Guards, Foresters, Deputy Forest Range Officers, Forest Range Officers, Assistant Conservators of Forests, Sub-Divisional Forest Officers, Deputy Conservators of Forests, Deputy Directors, Divisional Forest Officers, Regional Chief Conservators of Forests, Field Directors and any other Forest Officers in the State who are charged with maintenance of public order relating to forest and wildlife protection, conservation and management.
However, whenever firing is resorted to by the forest personnel mentioned in the Clause (a) above, each such incident shall be enquired into by an Executive Magistrate of the locality.
Further, any proceedings including institution of a criminal case of any nature and / or effecting an arrest will be initiated by the Police, only if it is held, as a result of the magisterial enquiry that the use of firearms has been unnecessary, unwarranted and excessive and further that such Magisterial Enquiry report has been accepted by the State Government.
Notably, a team of armed poachers had killed forester Mati Hansda in the sanctuary late June 16 night. Earlier, Bimal Kumar Jena, a 35 years old Protection Assistant was shot dead by a group of poachers at Similipal Tiger Reserve on May 22 night.
A Former PCCF has lauded this ‘Bold’ step of the State Government, which was pending for quite some time and there was requirement for this. He lauded ACS FE& CC for this action.
He said that this long pending issue of equipping field staff with legal back up from the State Government to meet challenge in discharge of their lawful duties has been resolved is a matter of great relief.