VALPOI
As many as 54 locals from Karanzol, Kumthol and Bandirwada in Sawarde-Sattari have been booked on charges of assaulting Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary RFO Narayan Prabhudesai during a scuffle between villagers and the official at Karanzol on May 12.
The case against the locals is likely to cause tension in the area and could spark off a further confrontation between locals and forest and wildlife officials in the area.
Clashes had taken place between locals and forest officials on May 12, leaving Prabhudesai and three locals injured at Bandirwada-Sawarde in Sattari taluka. The RFO is reported to have fired in the air to disperse the irate crowd. Agitated locals had also blocked vehicles of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary for a number of hours.
Acting on a complaint lodged by Prabhudesai, Valpoi police filed cases against 54 people from all three villages, accusing them of obstructing a government official from his discharging his duty and assaulting him.
However, locals are already upset that the Valpoi police has not taken cognisance of their complaint against Prabhudesai and they have accused the government of shielding its officials.
Since the last few years, locals have been frequently clashing with forest and wildlife officials over land ownership rights. The people of Sattari have been demanding land ownership rights and the exclusion of villages from the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
