Nagpur: In an audacious act, sand mafia carried out a surprise attack on a patrol squad of Forest Department at Ajaypur sand ghat near Chandrapur in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. The attack sparked panic in Forest Department. The forestmen have demanded immediate arrest of the assaulters and warned of ‘Pen strike’ if no action is initiated by concerned authorities. The role of political activists is being seen in the assault and hence pressure is being exerted to hush up the matter.
However, the incident is gaining political colours as the incident took place in the hometown of State Forest and Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.
According to sources, a squad of Forest Department was on patrol around 11.30 pm on Monday. The squad spotted a tractor passing through suspiciously. The tractor was stopped and the driver was asked to produce documents. But the driver, instead of producing documents, phoned the owner and called him to the spot. The owner reached the spot in a Mahendra Scorpio car along with a gang of 7-8 henchmen.
Suddenly, the gang attacked the Forest Department squad. The attackers even allegedly took away pistol of Assistant Forest Ranger. After the half hour scary drama, the forestmen reached Ramnagar Police Station and registered an FIR in this connection.
