After Maoists went on a rampage in the Simlipal Tiger Reserve and with the majority of the jittery forest guards unwilling to join duty the State Government has sought deployment of a CRPF battalion for protecting the park.
The State is facing acute infrastructural problem in the tiger reserve in Mayurbhanj district following the attack on offices and rest houses of the Forest Department and vital police communication installations there on March 23.
"Most of the staff posted in the inside the tiger reserve have left their headquarters, causing deep concern about protection of forest and wildlife," Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy said in a letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
He further said since the Special Task Protection Force (STPF), as visualised by the Home Minister, was yet to be constituted, a CRPF battalion should be immediately considered to combat the poachers.
"A CRPF battalion can be deployed as an interim measure given that additional force is required in view of the recent attacks and prevailing tense situation," Tripathy said.
Though there are no reports of poaching of tigers, there are fears that criminals might connive with the Maoists for anti-wildlife activities. Meanwhile, a high -level team has left for New Delhi to hold deliberations in this regard.
