Balasore: The forest department has sought the assistance of police for the safety and security of its personnel after encountering repeated attacks by poachers.

Recently, forest personnel were assaulted by a group of armed poachers in the Kuldhia sanctuary during patrolling.

Balasore divisional forest officer Biswaraj Panda said patrolling and guarding the sanctuary and forest area had become extremely risky as poachers were attacking their personnel. "On Monday, five personnel suffered injuries after they were assaulted by a group of armed poachers. About a week ago, four personnel were attacked. To combat the menace, we have sought the assistance of armed police during patrolling," said Panda.

"The district superintendent of police have been urged to provide protection to the forest personnel during patrolling in the vulnerable pockets. The provision of providing armed police is existing in some districts. Our officials are in a state of fear after repeated attacks. The matter too was informed to our higher ups," Balasore divisional forest officer said adding a constant coordination was maintained with Mayurbhanj counterparts.

Sources said the forest personnel had stepped up the search operation in Kuldhia sanctuary on Monday, after they received information that nearly 40 poachers armed with country-made guns and traditional bows and arrows had entered the prohibited area from the Kaptipada side of Mayurbhanj with the intention to hunt.

After a long chase, when they confronted each other, the poachers attacked the forest officials injuring five of them. Forester Jogeswar Habada, 55, forest guard Dhurba Charan Reddy, 58, and three others - Nilakantha Jena, 43, Rabindra Behera, 45 and Amarjyoti Panda, 33 - were hurt. Amarjyoti Panda suffered critical injuries and was shifted to the district headquarter hospital and is under treatment.

According to the Kuldhia forest range officer, Laxman Pradhan, the number of poachers was more than 50 and there were about 30 personnel when the search operation began ."After a long chase of 7 km we could confront them. Panda was recording the incident on his mobile phone. Enraged by the mobile recording they kicked him with the butts of their guns. They fled without hunting," Pradhan said.

"A case has been registered against the poachers under various sections of IPC, including attempt to murder and sections 25,27 of the Arms Act, in Berhampur (Nilgiri) police station," he said.

On April 20, five forest personnel were roughed up by tribal residents of Nilgiri, who alleged that a woman was molested during raid in her house in absence of her husband. The department refuted the allegation of molestation saying the charge was false and fabricated. Forest officials said they raided the house to nab her accused husband after they seized venison.