166 accused in forest encroachment case face arrest action in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve

Raipur

The Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve has intensified action in a major forest encroachment case, with 166 accused persons now facing arrest for allegedly occupying 106 hectares of core forest land and cutting down more than 1 lakh trees along with nearly 2 lakh smaller and young trees beyond satellite detection limits. The move comes after the district court rejected their anticipatory bail pleas.

According to an official press note, several of the accused had previously faced POR (Preliminary Offence Report) cases in 2008, 2011, and 2015, but failed to record their statements despite receiving notices on three occasions. The reserve authorities also denied allegations that the tiger reserve team assaulted the accused during the arrest operation, stating that complete video footage of the operation is available with the forest department.

The department claimed the footage allegedly shows attacks on forest staff, snatching of a government vehicle key, and the release of detained accused persons. The press note further stated that during the operation on May 18, the accused had assured the sarpanch and police that they would surrender within four days, but later changed their stand.

The tiger reserve administration warned that if the remaining 162 accused do not surrender within two days, a large-scale arrest operation will be launched with force support and drone surveillance. Officials said drones would be used to identify accused persons from a distance and preserve evidence in case of any possible attack.

The press note also referred to Supreme Court directions in the T.N. Godavarman case concerning the protection of wildlife corridors and strict action against encroachment and poaching. The department added that in 2023, it had removed 600 hectares of encroachment in a highly sensitive Naxal-affected area without police force support, warning encroachers not to underestimate the department’s resolve.