‘Without orders, guards can’t gun for poachers’
Read More:Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve|Patangrao Kadam|CrPC
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MUMBAI: A week after state forest ministerPatangrao Kadam said guards have been given the go-ahead to shoot at sight if they found any poacher hunting for tigers or laying traps, field officials are yet to receive specific directives.
Interestingly, Kadam is scheduled to visitTadoba Andhari tiger reserve on Wednesday.
"We read the minister's statement in the media, but so far, we have no specific instructions on taking on tiger poachers. The government must promulgate an ordinance to grant more powers to forest guards," a senior Indian Forest Service official told TOI on Tuesday.
In the wake of the tragic killing of eight tigers in the vicinity of Tadoba tiger reserve and elsewhere in the state, Kadam had issued a statement, that the government would deal with poachers with an iron hand. Kadam had stated that if forest guards took on poachers they would have protection under Section 197 of the criminal procedure code (CrPC). Under the CrPCprovisions, no action is taken against a public servant, if he takes action while discharging his duties. Officials said it was time that the Centre amended Section 66, which empowers a forest officer to prevent commission of offence. "We feel the law is weak. In fact, Kadam's statement is also shocking. When he is saying, he has given shoot-at-sight orders, it was his responsibility to elaborate under what law a forest guard can implement the order," said a forest official.
Interestingly, Kadam is scheduled to visitTadoba Andhari tiger reserve on Wednesday.
"We read the minister's statement in the media, but so far, we have no specific instructions on taking on tiger poachers. The government must promulgate an ordinance to grant more powers to forest guards," a senior Indian Forest Service official told TOI on Tuesday.
In the wake of the tragic killing of eight tigers in the vicinity of Tadoba tiger reserve and elsewhere in the state, Kadam had issued a statement, that the government would deal with poachers with an iron hand. Kadam had stated that if forest guards took on poachers they would have protection under Section 197 of the criminal procedure code (CrPC). Under the CrPCprovisions, no action is taken against a public servant, if he takes action while discharging his duties. Officials said it was time that the Centre amended Section 66, which empowers a forest officer to prevent commission of offence. "We feel the law is weak. In fact, Kadam's statement is also shocking. When he is saying, he has given shoot-at-sight orders, it was his responsibility to elaborate under what law a forest guard can implement the order," said a forest official.
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