Jaipur/Udaipur: A forest ranger was killed following an attempt to stop illegal mining in a forested area of Pratapgarh district late Monday night after a dumper truck ran over his motorcycle and dragged him along for several metres.Ranger Pratap Singh Chundawat (40) was left seriously injured in the incident near Shri Ghatiwale Balaji temple under Chhoti Sadri police station. He was rushed to the sub-divisional hospital and later referred to the district hospital in Nimbahera, where he died during treatment, a forest official said.Forest department personnel received information about illegal mining activity in the area around 11.30pm Monday, after which Chundawat and a forest guard reached the spot.Police said illegal miners were using an earth mover to excavate soil near a pond and load it onto a dumper truck. Upon seeing the ranger and the forest guard, the drivers of both vehicles tried to make a getaway.Chundawat pursued them on his motorcycle and was attempting to stop the soil-laden dumper truck when it hit him and dragged him along for nearly 50 metres.Both drivers fled the scene of the crime after the incident.Pratapgarh SP Vishal Jangid said Tuesday that an FIR has been registered in the case on charges of murder. Both vehicles involved in the incident have been impounded, and a search is underway for the drivers.The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the safety of frontline forest staff and the allocation of manpower and resources to protect them in the field.Rajasthan Subordinate Forest Union state president Bhupendra Singh alleged Tuesday that senior forest officials and the state govt have left frontline staff “unarmed and without proper vehicles” to deal with the mining mafia.“The announcement of 1,000 guns for forest personnel was made during a budget speech, but nothing has come of it so far,” Singh said.“A range-level officer is left to patrol on a motorcycle and face illegal miners, while DFOs and CCFs acquired new SUVs with the allocated budget. At least they are relatively safer in four-wheelers,” he added.Chundawat’s family members demanded that he be accorded martyr status as he lost his life in the line of duty.Describing Chundawat as a versatile forest officer, a senior forest official said he was regarded as one of the department’s best officers in Pratapgarh.“He was nominated for the state-level award on Independence Day this year. He also received several awards at the district and division levels,” the official said.Chundawat was closely involved in wildlife rescue operations, particularly those involving panthers and pythons. His work in nurturing plantations and managing nurseries had also produced good results, the official added.Chundawat had been posted in Pratapgarh for nearly two years. “We will send a proposal to the government seeking martyr status for him,” the official said.
