Eight arrested for assaulting forest staff, police during plantation drive in Telangana’s Adilabad

Eight persons were arrested for attacking forest and police officials during a plantation drive in Adilabad’s Keshavapatnam village. The incident, involving stone-pelting and weapons, left 11 officials injured. Police suspect land encroachment disputes triggered the assault

Adilabad: Eight persons were arrested on charges of assaulting policemen and forest officials during a plantation drive taken up by the Forest Department at Keshavapatnam village in Echoda mandal on Monday.

Police said the eight villagers were apprehended for their role in the attack against seven policemen and several forest officials during the drive. A case of attempt to murder was registered against them. Altaf, the prime accused, was absconding, and police said more arrests were likely.

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Sources said between 30 and 40 villagers had been detained. Officials were taking the incident seriously, citing a growing tendency of lawlessness in the village. Cases would be booked against all those involved to deter similar incidents in the future.

On Sunday, mild tension prevailed when locals, including women, allegedly pelted stones at forest staff escorted by the police. The incident occurred during a plantation drive on Forest Department land on the outskirts of Keshavapatnam.

Some of the attackers were reportedly armed with sticks, sickles and swords. Eleven officials, including a Sub-Inspector, sustained injuries in the assault.