Funeral of FBO Naveen held with official honours, three booked for setting up electric trap that killed him

Forest Beat Officer Banoth Naveen Naik was electrocuted while dismantling an illegal electric trap set by hunters in Burgampad mandal, Kothagudem. Forest Minister Konda Surekha expressed grief, ordered a probe, and directed officials to provide ex gratia and employment support to the bereaved family.

Kothagudem: Forest Minister Konda Surekha expressed deep anguish over the death of forest beat officer (FBO) Banoth Naveen Naik and conveyed her heartfelt condolences to his family members.

The FBO was electrocuted on Tuesday night while removing an electric trap set up by hunters to kill wild animals at Nakirepeta village in Burgampad mandal in the district. In a statement on Wednesday the Minister directed forest and police officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and severely punish those responsible for it.

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She instructed forest officials to implement necessary safety measures for forest staff while on duty. She also directed PCCF Vinay Kumar to take immediate steps to provide ex-gratia to Naveen’s family and to arrange employment for a family member.

Minister Surekha directed the Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju as well as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vinay Kumar to extend ‘Tribute of Honour’ to Naveen Naik as a mark of respect, in recognition of his services and sacrifice for the department.

The funeral rites of the deceased forest beat officer were held with official honours at Giddivarigudem of Singareni mandal in Khammam. Wyra MLA Maloth Ramdas Naik, the District Forest Officer Siddharth Vikram Singh and other senior officials took part in the funeral.

Meanwhile, Burgampad police registered cases against three persons; Avula Nagi Reddy, Dasari Naresh and Thati Veerababu of Lakshmipuram village in the mandal for setting up the electric trap that killed the forest beat officer. Paloncha CI Sathish is investigating the case.