Odisha government today provided field-level forest officials guarding the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) with 45 guns and 750 bullets, following reports of a large number of hunters entering the Reserve.
The move comes after the government took back these weapons from the forest personnel four years ago apparently fearing that Maoists might snatch them away.
However, the government now decided to reissue the firearms to the forest employees as reports of a large number of hunters entering Similipal poured in, official sources said.
"As per the directive of the government, the district police have provided the STR staff with guns and bullets. The arms have been given to the staff to check mass hunting of animals as part of 'Akhand Shikar', the annual hunting ritual of tribals", a senior forest official said.
Hundreds of local villagers, mostly tribals, sneak into the forests ahead of 'Pana Sankranti' to take part in the ritual.
"We had exhorted the state government to provide arms to our staff to prevent Akhand Shikar", Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) and Field Director, STR, Anup Kumar Nayak said.
While five ranges -- Naana (North), Naana (South), Chahala, Upper Barhakamuda and Jenabil -- have been given seven guns each, four guns have been provided to staff of Pithabata forest range. The employees at Jashipur range have been alloted six guns, he said.
The 750 bullets have been distributed among the seven ranges, Nayak added.
It may be recalled that STR witnessed a series of attacks by Maoists in early 2009. The red rebels had attacked forest officials and tourists and damaged guest houses and beat houses as well as wireless towers in the area besides destroying documents.
The state government had then asked the forest department to surrender their firearms with the district police to prevent Maoists from snatching them.
