The scene inside the compound of the Forest official which was attacked by a group of people on Thursday morning. (Morung Photo)
Dimapur, September 1 (MExN): In a despicable act, a group of people- mostly women- attacked the official residence of the Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar officer-in-charge this morning and abused the officer’s wife. The incident occurred at about 6:30 am while the officer, Obed Bohovi Swu had gone for a walk and his wife was sitting with a lady guest. The perpetrators are reported to be the “encroachers” of the Ranghapahar Zoological Park and their actions appear pre-meditated.
According to the officer’s wife, a group of nearly 20 people came in four vehicles and entered the compound when she was with a guest (a prayer warrior who had come to pray for her family as it was the first day of the month). While the men stayed back in the vehicles, the women accompanied by one man neared the door carrying sacks. The officer’s wife walked over to the door and asked them what the matter was. The women started hurling abuses at her, saying that her husband was giving them orders not authorized by the government. They accused the officer’s wife of “instigating” her husband to evict them from the Zoological Park; and saying this they open the sacks and poured paddy saplings all over the officer’s wife. The officer’s wife, who was badly shaken by the incident, told Reporters that the women hurled unmentionable abuses at her and pointed fingers at her face as if to scare her.
Unable to bear the humiliation, the officer’s wife stepped out and confronted the women challenging them to settle scores once and for all. But after a few minutes of intimidation and verbal abuses hurled at the officer’s wife, the mob left. The police accompanied by some IR personnel and officers arrived a while later. This is the second time this year that the “encroachers” have come to the residence of the officer to settle scores. About three months back, a group of men reportedly came to the officer’s residence with similar intentions but the matter was discussed cordially. This time the encroachers have gone too far, pouring out their personnel vendetta on the officer, and more so, on his wife who has nothing whatsoever to do with the department. The officer has filed an FIR at the official level whereas the wife has filed an FIR with the Police.
Attack forest officer’s wife inside official residence
It may be mentioned here that on August 29, nine people were arrested for encroaching into the Zoological Park to sow paddy. They were released on bond the following day. It cannot be ascertained if it is the same group of people who attacked the officer’s wife. The officer has in the past received telephonic threat from encroachers and had been working under duress and extreme caution ever since he took charge of the Rangapahar division.
The Chief Wildlife Warden, T Lotha visited the officer’s residence and spent some time assessing the situation. Lotha told Reporters that the Swu has impeccable record and is very sincere in his duty. He said that this is an unfortunate act of personal vendetta and the officer’s wife should not even be in the picture. He pointed out that the attackers were wrong in saying the Ranger acted on his own volition because the officer is authorized to remove any unauthorized structure within the government owned land under the Wildlife section of the Forest Act.
Lotha also said that the question of his wife “instigating” does not arise as this is purely an official matter. He said that the public needs to earnestly lend support to the department to stop encroachers from destroying the Zoological Park. He said that the department’s efforts and resources are all being diverted to tackle encroachment problem, thereby, not allowing the area to develop as per the desires of the department and the people. He said that the department is doing all it can to safeguard the Park but unless the public also come out in support, the problem will continue.
On the incident, he assured that the department will take up the case officially. He urged the government for more stringent measures to tackles the encroachment problems. Lotha also urged the district administration to book the culprits under appropriate sections of the law. The forest officials later met the Deputy Commissioner who has said that action will be taken against the perpetrators. An additional platoon of IR has been deployed at Rangapahar.
The staff and personnel of Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar has strongly condemned the act of the perpetrators. They have taken serious note of the criminal act of abuse upon the wife of the officer, and have urged the government to arrest the “encroachers” immediately. They also urged the public to help conserve the only Zoological Park in the State.
Meanwhile, The Forest Colony Residential Union Dimapur (FCRUD) has strongly condemned the incident. The Union in a press note issued by the Chairman, S Bendangmongba stated that it finds it extremely shocking, and that it can only be done by someone who is of unsound mind, insane and who has lost all sense of rationality. The Union has issued strong warning to any individual/person trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the colony.
According to the officer’s wife, a group of nearly 20 people came in four vehicles and entered the compound when she was with a guest (a prayer warrior who had come to pray for her family as it was the first day of the month). While the men stayed back in the vehicles, the women accompanied by one man neared the door carrying sacks. The officer’s wife walked over to the door and asked them what the matter was. The women started hurling abuses at her, saying that her husband was giving them orders not authorized by the government. They accused the officer’s wife of “instigating” her husband to evict them from the Zoological Park; and saying this they open the sacks and poured paddy saplings all over the officer’s wife. The officer’s wife, who was badly shaken by the incident, told Reporters that the women hurled unmentionable abuses at her and pointed fingers at her face as if to scare her.
Unable to bear the humiliation, the officer’s wife stepped out and confronted the women challenging them to settle scores once and for all. But after a few minutes of intimidation and verbal abuses hurled at the officer’s wife, the mob left. The police accompanied by some IR personnel and officers arrived a while later. This is the second time this year that the “encroachers” have come to the residence of the officer to settle scores. About three months back, a group of men reportedly came to the officer’s residence with similar intentions but the matter was discussed cordially. This time the encroachers have gone too far, pouring out their personnel vendetta on the officer, and more so, on his wife who has nothing whatsoever to do with the department. The officer has filed an FIR at the official level whereas the wife has filed an FIR with the Police.
Attack forest officer’s wife inside official residence
It may be mentioned here that on August 29, nine people were arrested for encroaching into the Zoological Park to sow paddy. They were released on bond the following day. It cannot be ascertained if it is the same group of people who attacked the officer’s wife. The officer has in the past received telephonic threat from encroachers and had been working under duress and extreme caution ever since he took charge of the Rangapahar division.
The Chief Wildlife Warden, T Lotha visited the officer’s residence and spent some time assessing the situation. Lotha told Reporters that the Swu has impeccable record and is very sincere in his duty. He said that this is an unfortunate act of personal vendetta and the officer’s wife should not even be in the picture. He pointed out that the attackers were wrong in saying the Ranger acted on his own volition because the officer is authorized to remove any unauthorized structure within the government owned land under the Wildlife section of the Forest Act.
Lotha also said that the question of his wife “instigating” does not arise as this is purely an official matter. He said that the public needs to earnestly lend support to the department to stop encroachers from destroying the Zoological Park. He said that the department’s efforts and resources are all being diverted to tackle encroachment problem, thereby, not allowing the area to develop as per the desires of the department and the people. He said that the department is doing all it can to safeguard the Park but unless the public also come out in support, the problem will continue.
On the incident, he assured that the department will take up the case officially. He urged the government for more stringent measures to tackles the encroachment problems. Lotha also urged the district administration to book the culprits under appropriate sections of the law. The forest officials later met the Deputy Commissioner who has said that action will be taken against the perpetrators. An additional platoon of IR has been deployed at Rangapahar.
The staff and personnel of Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar has strongly condemned the act of the perpetrators. They have taken serious note of the criminal act of abuse upon the wife of the officer, and have urged the government to arrest the “encroachers” immediately. They also urged the public to help conserve the only Zoological Park in the State.
Meanwhile, The Forest Colony Residential Union Dimapur (FCRUD) has strongly condemned the incident. The Union in a press note issued by the Chairman, S Bendangmongba stated that it finds it extremely shocking, and that it can only be done by someone who is of unsound mind, insane and who has lost all sense of rationality. The Union has issued strong warning to any individual/person trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the colony.
