Odisha government has granted immunity to forest personnel for use of firearms for self-defence while dealing with the poachers.
- A notification was issued by the Odisha forest, environment and climate change department on July 5, 2023.
Key points
- The notification came after two forest staff were suspected to have been killed by poachers in the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in June 2023.
- The state government has decided to grant protection to forest officials under Section 197 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) which authorises the use of firearms during official duty, the notification said.
- Whenever the forest personnel will resort to firing, each such incident will be enquired into by an executive magistrate of the locality.
- Any proceeding, including institution of the criminal case of any nature affecting an arrest, would be initiated by the police, only if it is held as misuse of firearms by the forest officials.
- The move will now give the forest staff protection from arrest and criminal proceedings, unless a magisterial investigation finds the use of firearms was misused.
- Earlier immediate action was taken by the police against forest staff in case of firing, may it be accident, unwanted or in self-defence, he said. Some other states including Assam, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh governments have implemented the measures.
