Forest guards equipped with arms
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 12 2023:
Along with distributing newly procured firearms to personnel of the forest department on March 7 to boost their morale and confidence in dispensing duties, forest and environment minister Th Biswajit has assured of recruiting the required staff of the department so as to ensure protection of the forest areas of the state.
The minister distributed 100 number of firearms which included 12 bore pump action guns (folding type) and 12 bore DBBL (folding) guns during the function held at forest department head office near Sanjenthong.
The weapons were distributed to forest guards deployed under the jurisdiction of the divisional forest officers of Imphal West; Thoubal, Bishnupur, Chandel, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur and also to the forest guards working under the supervision of deputy conservator of forest (Parks and sanctuaries) whose jurisdiction includes Keibul Lamjao National Park.
Speaking on the occasion, minister Biswajit confided that the government has taken up the initiative of arming the forest guards considering the challenges they face in safeguarding the forest areas of the state.
He further informed that the state government has procured 150 firearms out of Which 100 have been distributed for the first phase while the remaining will be distributed after the forest guards complete basic training.
Expressing confidence that shortage of forest staff will be solved by recruiting fresh personnel as the issue has also been apprised to the chief minister, he stressed the need for taking up effective measures to protect the forests.