Konark: A range officer and a forest guard were allegedly attacked for stopping illegal parking lot construction along the Konark-Puri marine drive.
According to reports, the parking space was being constructed in the sanctuary area by Achyutpur sarpanch Bhakta Ballav Das and his supporters when range officer Benudhar Behera along with a forest guard reached the site. The officials seized a JCB machine engaged in the construction work and detained one person.
Sources said on their way back to office, Behera and the forest guard were attacked by the sarpanch and his supporters.
“Two JCB machines and a tractor were engaged to landscape an area in the sanctuary by putting gravel. We seized a JCB machine and detained one person. On the way, Achyutpur sarpanch Bhakta Ballav Das and three four people with him intercepted our vehicle. They assaulted me and the forest guard,” Behera alleged.
On the other hand, Achyutpur sarpanch said the parking space was being constructed on the direction of administration to ease parking problem arised due to the ongoing Eco Retreat Festival.
“The forest officials seized a JCB machine and assaulted the workers. They stopped the work and were taking one of the workers with them when we contacted Marine police station IIC who rescued our worker. The allegation of assault is false and baseless,” the sarpanch said.
On the basis of the complaints of the both parties, the police launched a probe into the matter.