At a time when the team of Pushpa 2: The Rule is all set to start shooting the much-anticipated movie sequel in Odisha, a real-life incident bearing a strong resemblance to the movie's storyline was reported from the coastal district of Balasore. According to sources, an attempt by mafias to loot timber was foiled after the Forest Department officials seized their vehicle.
The incident has been reported from Nilagiri forest range area in Balasore.
Acting on a tip-off regarding illegal smuggling, Nilagiri ranger, Aisha Ae Nisha and her team intercepted and seized a timber-laden pickup van coming from Remuna area on Saturday night.
However, while shifting the seized vehicle to the nearby Sajanagarh nursery, the wood mafia blocked the Sajanagarh-Ajodhya main road by chopping down a huge tree.
When the forest department team found the road blocked, they changed their route, and to their surprise, they found the Bhalukasuni road also blocked by the smugglers.
Finding no other option, the Forest Department officials informed the matter to the police and the Fire Services department.
On being informed about the incident, the Fire Services personnel rushed to the spot and cleared the route, while the police escorted the seized vehicle to the nursery.
“The wood smugglers deliberately blocked the roads using huge Sal trees to loot the seized vehicle. Moreover, they had planned to attack us but failed as the police were with us,” said Nisha.
After the efforts of the smugglers yielded no results, several masked men ransacked the gate of Sajanagarh nursery and attempted to attack the staff with sharp weapons, sources informed.
“While we were guarding the plants, a watchman called us and informed us that some masked men are trying to attack the staff engaged at the nursery. Even, the miscreants also partially damaged the gate,” said Bikram Majhi, a member of the Sabuja Bahini.