Forest officials to get SBBL guns

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsThe Forest department is shortly going to acquire 250 SBBL (smooth-bore breech-loading) guns to equip its men better against red sanders smugglers in five districts.The government recently cleared the purchase of the weapons estimated to cost Rs 75 lakh, in all likelihood, they will be available by the next month. Staff below the rank of forest range officer will be given these weapons.“Our staff often come under attack from red sanders smugglers. The guns will deter such attacks,” said S Srinivas, chief conservator of forests.The department has also sent a proposal to appoint a beat officer for every 10-20 sq km of red sanders forests. Presently, there is one beat officer for every 40 to 50 sq km. “Attacks on us have become frequent as cases registered against smugglers are bailable. Maximum sentence is a mere two years with a fine of Rs 200-500,” an official said. Kadapa, Chittoor, Prakasam, Kurnool and Nellore districts have around 5 lakh acres of reserved red sanders forests. The Forest department has seized about 9,000 tonne of red sanders, worth around Rs 1,800 crore, since 2003. “So far, 7,500 cases have been registered,” said B Murali Krishna, additional principal chief conservator of forests (vigilance). According to him, 70 base camps have been set up in red sanders areas each camp comprising five members.first published:January 01, 1970, 05:30 ISTlast updated:January 01, 1970, 05:30 IST
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The Forest department is shortly going to acquire 250 SBBL (smooth-bore breech-loading) guns to equip its men better against red sanders smugglers in five districts.

The government recently cleared the purchase of the weapons estimated to cost Rs 75 lakh, in all likelihood, they will be available by the next month. Staff below the rank of forest range officer will be given these weapons.

“Our staff often come under attack from red sanders smugglers. The guns will deter such attacks,” said S Srinivas, chief conservator of forests.

The department has also sent a proposal to appoint a beat officer for every 10-20 sq km of red sanders forests. Presently, there is one beat officer for every 40 to 50 sq km. “Attacks on us have become frequent as cases registered against smugglers are bailable. Maximum sentence is a mere two years with a fine of Rs 200-500,” an official said. Kadapa, Chittoor, Prakasam, Kurnool and Nellore districts have around 5 lakh acres of reserved red sanders forests. The Forest department has seized about 9,000 tonne of red sanders, worth around Rs 1,800 crore, since 2003. “So far, 7,500 cases have been registered,” said B Murali Krishna, additional principal chief conservator of forests (vigilance). According to him, 70 base camps have been set up in red sanders areas each camp comprising five members.