Mandya: Forest officers fired in the air to catch those who were cutting sandalwood tree in forest reportedly from Devalapura, Nagamangala Taluk of the District.
According to Forest officials on the evening of Wednesday November 30, accused Govindappa, and his sons Shankar and Kumar, natives of Hassan came to steal sandalwood in the forest area of Nagamangala Taluk. Acting on a tip off, the forest officials team led by Deputy Range Forest Officer Ramaraju the operation was carried out.
Soon after seeing officials the thieves tried to assault them with sickles. The thieves assaulted Forest Guard Sakaiah with sickle and injured him. The officers fired in the air to save life and managed to arrest all the three accused.
The accused Govindappa sustained bullet injuries. Forest Guard Sakaiah is being treated in Nagamangala Government Hospital. The other two accused, Shankar and Kumar have been sent to judicial custody after producing before JMFC Court.
Forest officers have registered a case and are investigating.
