Opium smugglers launch deadly attack on forest workers during Poppy Crop Disposal Campaign

Chauparan: In a shocking incident, opium smugglers launched a deadly attack on a joint team of Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary and Territorial Forest Department during a poppy crop disposal campaign in the insurgency-affected Dhodhiya village of Chordaha Panchayat, located 24 kilometers from Chauparan police station.

The campaign, conducted from 10 am to 1 pm, aimed to destroy approximately 17 acres of opium cultivation in the Dhodhiya forest. The Territorial Forest Department team, comprising foresters, forest guards, and daily wage laborers from Chauparan Range, Barhi Range, and Barkatha Range, was led by Forester-in-charge Rahul Kumar. Additionally, the forester in charge of Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary, Mohd. Ayub Ansari, led the team from Hazaribagh district, totaling around 50 personnel.

Around 1:30 pm, the team members sat down for dinner when, at approximately 2 o’clock, armed opium smugglers launched a deadly attack on the forest personnel. The attackers, numbering 25 to 30, were armed with sharp weapons such as axes, spears, bows, rods, swords, sticks, khachauwa, and guns. They also resorted to stone-pelting, taking cover in the forests and bushes.
The assailants, including individuals named Ramsevak Ganjhu, Darshan Ganjhu, Kailash Ganjhu, and others from Dhodhiya village, damaged three bikes and two tractors used for opium disposal, taking them into their possession. Tragically, Forester-in-charge of the Century Department, Mohd. Ayub Ansari, lost his life in the attack. Several others, including Rajdev Yadav, Rajkumar Singh, Keshar Singh Kherwar, Shravan Kumar Mehta, driver Pramod Kumar Singh, and Jagdish Yadav from the Territorial Forest Department, and Manoj Birhor, were injured. Eight individuals, including Jagdish Yadav, were left bleeding.
The injured personnel managed to reach Chauparan Community Hospital for immediate treatment. After initial aid, Jagdish Yadav was referred to Hazaribagh for further medical attention due to his serious condition. The attack highlights the dangers faced by forest workers engaged in anti-opium efforts. Investigations are underway to apprehend the attackers and address the grave situation.