Latest news with #PrahalladPradhan
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Hans India
Forester killed by poachers
Bhubaneswar: A forester was killed allegedly by poachers near Kai reserve forest in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. Acting on a tip-off, an eight-member team of the Forest department went to Tantichira village around 3.30 am when they came face to face with the poachers. Soon, the poachers opened fire, and Prahallad Pradhan, the in-charge forester of Hindol range, was shot in the stomach, officials said. He was rushed to a nearby health facility, from where he was taken to Angul district headquarters hospital. There, he was declared dead. Dhenkanal Divisional Forest Officer Sumit Kar said four poachers were arrested and a gun was seized. Expressing grief over the death of the forester, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a compensation of Rs 30 lakh for his family. The Chief Minister directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Prem Kumar Jha to visit the spot and investigate the incident. In a post on X, Jha said, 'In this sad moment, I, on behalf of the Forest and Wildlife department family, wish the departed soul peace and extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family.' Following the incident, Forest Employees' Association secretary (Dhenkanal) Birendra Dehuri said forest guards should be adequately equipped to deal with armed poachers. Forest guards in the State are not provided with firearms, except those in Similipal Tiger Reserve. They patrol the forests with sticks, he said.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Forest guard killed by armed poachers during patrol near Odisha's Satkosia Tiger Reserve
BHUBANESWAR: A forest guard was gunned down by poachers while carrying out his duty in a protected area close to Satkosia Tiger Reserve, highlighting the perils of frontline forest staff and the prevalence of armed criminals in the state. Prahallad Pradhan was serving as the forest guard of Sinkol beat and also the in-charge of Hindol section in Dhenkanal forest division. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi who paid condolences to the bereaved family of Pradhan announced Rs 30 lakh ex gratia to the next of kin of the slain forest guard. Official sources said the incident took place early morning on Saturday, when the forest officers and staff of Dhenkanal Forest division led by regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF), Angul were on night patrol in and around Rajmanoharpur reserve forest of Hindol range. The patrolling started on Friday night and continued till early hours of Saturday. During their duty in the small hours, the forest team came face to face with a group of poachers, equipped with country-made firearms in the area. The poachers immediately resorted to firing in which Pradhan sustained grievous injuries and succumbed to the bullets.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Hans India
Forester killed by poachers near Satkosia
Bhubaneswar: A forester was killed allegedly by poachers near Satkosia Tiger Reserve early on Saturday. Acting on an information, an eight-member team of the Forest department went to Tantichira village around 3.30 am and they came face to face with the poachers. The poachers opened fire and Hindol range in-charge forester Prahallad Pradhan received a bullet in the stomach. The forester was rushed to a nearby health facility and later shifted to Angul district headquarters hospital where he was declared dead. Dhenkanal SP Abhinav Sonkar said, 'We have initiated an investigation and the accused are currently in our custody.' Dhenkanal Divisional Forest Officer Sumit Kar said four poachers were arrested and a gun was seized. Expressing grief over the death of the forester, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a compensation of Rs 30 lakh for his family.
