Forest team attacked while stopping illegal parrot sale in Jagdalpur

Bastar | Correspondent: Chaos erupted at Sanjay Market in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, when a Forest Department team, which had arrived to halt the illegal sale of parrot chicks, was attacked by local traders. In this incident, Forest Ranger Akshay Kashyap and his team were not only physically assaulted but were also held hostage for nearly half an hour.

Providing details of the matter, Ranger Akshay Kashyap stated that he had received a tip-off from an informant that a vegetable vendor in the market was illegally selling newborn parrot chicks.

To verify the information, the Ranger, accompanied by a flying squad, arrived at the scene disguised as a customer. When the team attempted to take the accused, who had 13 parrots, into custody, other vegetable vendors present at the spot became enraged and attacked the team.

According to the Ranger, the attackers bound the team members with ropes and held them hostage for approximately 10 minutes.

Having somehow managed to escape the scene, the officials filed a complaint at the Kotwali Police Station.

Acting swiftly, the police have taken the main accused, a father and son duo, into custody.

Kotwali Police Station In-charge Liladhar Rathore stated that a case has been registered on charges of obstructing government duty and assault; meanwhile, the allegations regarding the hostage-taking are being investigated, and other relevant sections of the law are being added to the case. The police are currently engaged in a search for the other attackers who remain at large.