Hyderabad: The forest department has launched a joint probe with police and electricity officials into the electrocution death of Forest Beat Officer (FBO) Naveen in the Krishnasagar Reserve Forest, with investigators trying to identify the suspected poachers who allegedly fled the spot and trace the source of power used for the illegal electric snare laid for hunting wildlife.District forest officer Siddarth Vikram Singh, IFS, inspected the site in Musalimadugu Section of Cheruvusingaram Beat in Paloncha Range on Thursday and examined the electric lines, possible tapping points and the route through which power may have been illegally extended into the forest.
“During our investigation, our forest beat officer said he saw four people suspected to be poachers running away from the scene after the incident, when Naveen shouted in pain after suffering the electric shock,” Singh said.He said the department would ensure speedy disposal of the case. A second case has also been booked against the suspected poachers for setting the wire trap under the Forest Act. Singh said it was a wildlife hunting case.₹30 lakh ex gratia proposal sent to govtPrincipal chief conservator of forests Vinay Kumar said the department had sent a report to the state govt seeking ₹30 lakh ex gratia, compassionate appointment for Naveen’s wife and other benefits for the family.“We have also sought benefits such as salary till retirement, children’s education and medical facilities,” Kumar said.The forest department said Naveen died while on duty after coming into contact with an illegal electric snare reportedly laid for hunting wildlife. Officials said such snares posed a risk not only to wildlife but also to forest personnel, farmers, livestock and people entering forest areas.During his inspection, Singh examined the location where the snare was reportedly laid, nearby electrical lines, the manner in which electricity was supplied and the possible route through which the connection was taken into the forest.Officials are examining where the illegal connection originated, the electrical line from which power was drawn, how it was extended into the reserve forest and how long it may have been in use. The probe will also examine whether field personnel had earlier received information about illegal use of electricity and whether electrical lines passing through or close to forest areas were being adequately monitored.Forest, police, power officials conduct joint inspectionElectricity department officials, including an assistant engineer and a lineman, were taken to the spot and jointly examined the power lines, possible points of illegal tapping and supply routes.Singh said the role of field-level electricity officials was important in identifying and preventing illegal power use, particularly when such connections were used for wildlife hunting and could endanger human lives. He called for closer coordination between the forest and electricity departments to identify vulnerable locations, monitor suspicious connections and share information about illegal power use around forest areas.Burgampadu police station sub-inspector Rammurthy also inspected the spot. Forest, police and electricity officials are investigating who installed the electric snare, who arranged the illegal electricity connection, how the supply was obtained and whether others were involved.The department said action would be initiated against those responsible under the applicable forest, wildlife protection, electricity and other relevant laws.Surveillance measures to be stepped upFollowing Naveen’s death, the department said it would , gather information on suspicious electrical connections and increase surveillance in vulnerable forest areas.Coordination with police and electricity officials would also be strengthened, while field staff would be issued safety and vigilance instructions before entering forest areas. Forest personnel would be sensitised to watch for illegal electric wires, snares and other dangerous hunting methods while on duty.Singh appealed to people to alert the forest or police authorities about suspicious electric wires, illegal connections or hunting snares noticed in and around forest areas.
