NAGPUR: Harried policemen on Thursday heaved a sigh of relief after the snatched .303 rifle of an SRPF jawan was found in the forest near Bodhaljhira (Tippat) in Pench Tiger Reserve and National Park, where a 24-member protection force patrol party was attacked by a gang of fishermen in the wee hours of Tuesday.
The attackers after badly injuring five members had snatched away two .303 rifles from SRPF jawans S C Hargude and P Y Ughade. While Hargude’s rifle was broken into two pieces, Ughade’s rifle was thrown into the jungles.
According to C H Wakde, superintendent of police, Nagpur (Rural), the rifle was found near the spot where the policemen were attacked. Two persons have been arrested so far. Hunt for other accused has been launched.
On the future course of action, Wakde said, “The line of action has to be decided by the forest department, our men will fully co-operate. If they want more force or gunmen we will provide them.”
Meanwhile, according to forest department sources, the situation is back to square one as the 66 members of the protection force from Madhya Pradesh side of Pench has returned following gram panchayat elections there. Now the protection force in Pench (Maharashtra) is left with the same strength.
Top sources said, police are investigating the case from all possible angles. Cops are keeping a eye on suspects having past criminal record and those involved in illegal fishing activity earlier. The forest department has handed over the police a list of criminals, whose role in the attack on the patrol party cannot be ruled out. A top source said, one of the suspects, likely to be involved in the attack is wanted in a murder case in Nagpur.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nagpur/Missing_rifle_of_jawan_found/articleshow/3767157.cms
