Nagpur: Fishermen across the Totladoh reservoir in Pench Tiger Reserve went violent on Sunday when they threw bombs on the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) personnel challenged them on Sunday evening.
However STPF officers restrained themselves from retaliating as no one was hurt in the attack. It may be mentioned that a fisherman died in 2015 incident in firing by STPF.
The STPF has been on a major offensive recently inside Pench Tiger Reserve against illegal fishermen entering Totladoh reservoir. They are patrolling the waters with field staff to guard against illegal fishing. According to Supreme Court orders, fishing is not allowed inside tiger reserves.
On Sunday, a team of 18 foresters led by range forest officer (RFO) Atul Deokar was patrolling the waters in two boats. At around 4.30pm, they saw some 60 fishermen near Pivarthadi on the MP border, trying to sneak into the Maharashtra side.
The team warned the fishermen over loudspeakers not to enter Pench Maharashtra, apprising them of the ban, but the fishermen did not relent. They abused the patrolling party and threw three dynamites, which landed some 100 feet away from the boats.
Sources said the fishermen also pelted stones with the help of catapults. However, the forest parties were out of their reach, and they avoided resorting to firing. The culprits could not be identified since they had covered their faces with scarves.
“After the expose of fishermen’s involvement in tiger poaching racket in and around Pench, and subsequent action by the forest officials, fishermen were at bay fearing action. However, after a lull, they seem to be attempting to enter Totladoh again from MP side,” said Pench officials.
From Monday, a joint offensive by MP and Maharashtra forest officials has been planned. Earlier, in the last 15-20 days at least 150 boats of fishermen have been destroyed.
After the involvement of fishermen in tiger poaching came to light, the Nagpur district collector on July 6 issued orders to the revenue and police department staff to coordinate with forest officials for every action planned against fishermen.
