Forest guard shot dead in Similipal: 2 accused poachers arrested; deceased’s wife blames department higher-ups for the death

Baripada: Two poachers were arrested today in connection with the alleged gun down of forest guard Bimal Kumar Jena from Baunsakhala beat house in Mayurbhanj when he was patrolling in a nearby jungle on Monday evening along with four other personnel, PCCF (Wildlife) Sushil Kumar Popli said.

“Even as two of the accused poachers were arrested, a search operation is underway to nab 10 more accomplices of the group, who have already been identified. The Department will take stringent action against the wrongdoers,” the PCCF (Wildlife) expressed.

“A country-made firearm was recovered and seized from the possession of the arrested poachers. Five teams comprising forest personnel and local police are jointly conducting the combing operation. I have discussed about the prevalent situation with DG and Additional DG of Police,” Popli added.

On the other hand, the firing incident has raised the eyebrows of many in Mayurbhanj district.

“Earlier on the intervening day at around 11.23 AM, I had informed the Field Director concerned about the presence of three well-equipped hunters from Kolkata along with some local poachers. The accused group was on the move to hunt animals in Similipal forest between Pithabata range and Nanaa South. It is a pity that despite being informed well ahead of time, the senior official laughed at my words,” a local Van Mitra stated while briefing mediapersons about the neglect of the department higher-ups.

“It is only the field staff who are to face a bullet and the higher-ups hardly visit a jungle. It is due to the apathetic and irresponsible attitude of senior officials that such an incident took place. Even after the mishap, I contacted some of the officials, but their mobile phones were switched off. PCCF (Wildlife) alone replied to my WhatsApp message writing ‘unfortunate’,” the Van Mitra alleged.

Also Read: Hunters gun down forest guard in Similipal sanctuary of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

“Everyone is shedding crocodile tears for the preservation of Similipal forest, but their eyes do not have tears indeed. Protecting such a large forest cover with insufficient staff strength at the field level and with just a bamboo lathi (baton) is a herculean task. Despite repeated demands, neither the Department higher-ups nor the State government are taking any action in this regard. This is very unfortunate that a forest guard was shot dead in Similipal,” Talabandha forester Abani Kumar Jena lamented.

“Every Mayurbhanjia (residents of the district) feels proud of the Similipal forest cover as we have no other major resource here. However, neither the District Administration nor the State Government is serious about its preservation as well as the protection of animals living in this forest. Poachers come to the forest equipped with modern arms and ammunition for hunting animals. Trees are felled every day by wood mafias. Is it possible to face a gun with a baton?” a local intelligentsia questioned.

“Bimal is survived by his wife, a six-year-old daughter including the elderly father. They all have been orphaned now. Nobody is there to come to their rescue,” the intelligentsia said with tears in his eyes.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s wife Lipina Swain who also works in Mayurbhanj forest department blamed her higher-ups for the death as no official vehicle was made available for long hours to rescue injured Bimal and admit him to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

Echoing a similar view, the deceased’s relative Madhusmita Jena rued saying, “The senior officials are using vehicles for their personal purposes, but a vehicle could not be made available at a time of urgent need. Moreover, facing the poachers every day with only a lathi is too difficult. As a result of which, Bimal died untimely.”

Worth mentioning, the forest guard was shot at when he was seeking help from the Department higher-ups through his wife over a mobile phone. “I have been fighting alone with only a lathi in my hand and immediately need assistance. Please inform officials concerned through VHF device to help me,” helpless Bimal had said in his phone call.

Besides, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Bhupender Yadav expressed his grief. Taking to his personal Twitter handle, the Minister wrote, “Saddened to share that forest guard Shri Bimal Kumar Jena was killed by poachers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve of Odisha. Jena died in the line of duty trying to protect India’s wildlife. We remain indebted for his sacrifice. May his soul rest in eternal peace. ॐ शांति.”

Saddened to share that forest guard Shri Bimal Kumar Jena was killed by poachers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve of Odisha.

Jena died in the line of duty trying to protect India’s wildlife. We remain indebted for his sacrifice.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

ॐ शांति

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) May 23, 2023