NAGPUR, Oct 1: Three forest guards at Totladoh had a harrowing time on Thursday night when they were brutally attacked by a group of anti-social elements and later booked by the Deolapar police for creating a row over a complaint lodged by the attackers. One of the guards was seriously injured in the assault.The injured forest guard, Baliram Kumre, is presently undergoing treatment at Mayo Hospital for multiple fractures and stab wounds. The other two guards were discharged after treatment.In a press release issued here, the Vankarmachari Sanrankshan Kriti Samiti, a body of forest employees, has demanded police protection for employees involved in field work. They have also demanded strict action against the Deputy Chairman of Ramtek Panchayat Samiti, Shivnath Verma, who they allege masterminded the attack on Kumre. The Samiti has alleged that Verma, in connivance with Deolapar police, registered a false offence of causing a fracas against Kumre and got him arrested. Reportedly the Deolapar police did not take action against the assailants.The guards were returning to Nagzira Forest when they were assaulted by some persons including Verma, who were staging a dharna against the ban on fishing in Totladoh. At the Deolapar Cottage Hospital, doctors allegedly refused to treat Kumre.
