Staffers at Anamalai Tiger Reserve go on strike after assault

The Forest Department Staff at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) went on a flash strike on Monday alleging abuse and assault on them by Assistant Conservator of Forests, V C Rahul. The staff demanded the transfer of Rahul alleging that he had beaten up anti-poaching watchers after they refused him entry to the forest in an inebriated at night.

The heckled staff even approached the Aliyar Police seeking to register a case against the Assistant Conservator on caste discrimination. They, however, relented later.

Due to the sudden strike, work in six forest ranges in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve were hit.

Sources said the Assistant Conservator-Training, ATR, had taken his to Milgaimadai Camp in Pollachi forest range around 11 pm on Saturday and reportedly asked forest guard Chandran and anti-poaching watchers Kaliyappan, Ramesh and Murugadass to take up night rounds inside the forest. He reportedly abused and assaulted them when they refused.

Soon, the forest guards, anti-poaching watchers and six forest rangers thronged the Anamalai Tiger Reserve office in Pollachi on Monday and demanded action against the assistant conservator.

“It is completely a criminal action by assistant conservator Rahul. He also abused the tribal staff in filthy language. We demand departmental action against him,” M Nasir, state president of Tamil Nadu Forest Staff Association, told Express.

“We decided to take the issue to the open court to seek action against him and we give one day deadline to the Chief conservator of Forests, ATR. The government should transfer him to another state immediately. Or else, we will strike work from Wednesday.”

More than 250 staff stayed away from work on Monday and the forest-related works were reportedly hit in Valparai where wild animals entered residential areas.

In absence of staff, the residents themselves had to chase the wild animals back to the forest. Assistant Conservator Rahul was not reachable for comments.