Maharashtra: Teakwood smugglers kill forest guard in Gadchiroli

Samayya Madanyya Gora is survived by his wife and their teenage daughter

A 47-year-old forest guard succumbed to his wounds after he was repeatedly stabbed by teakwood smugglers on the Maharashtra-Telangana border, in a stark reminder of the risks faced by the frontline staff of the department. Officials said Samayya Madanyya Gora was a contractual employee and efforts are being made to provide financial help to his family.

Gora is survived by his wife Mungi Madhunakka, 38, and their 16-year-old daughter who recently cleared her SSC exams.

Officials said Gora worked under the Sironcha Forest Division in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. On the night of November 6, he was attacked by four men with criminal past that were trying to smuggle teakwood from neighbouring Telangana. The crime was committed on the Maharashtra side of the interstate check post at Medigatta Barrage of Kaleshwaram Project.

A Praveen, an IFS and sub-divisional forest officer, said Gora was assaulted around 1 am. "A total of four forest department staff members were on duty of which Samayya Madanyya Gora was stabbed following which he sustained serious injuries, while others managed to escape. He was taken to Sironcha Hospital and later to Manchirial and Hyderabad for further treatment. Doctors took the best possible efforts but despite surgery, he passed away in the wee hours of November 9 at Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad. Gora was a very dedicated and sincere staff of the Sironcha Forest Division."

A mobile left behind by the attackers helped the police identify the accused as Nandam Sevyam, Samaiyya Kalawa, Estari Ankayya Madem and Kishtiyya Venkaiyya Madem. While Nandam is a known teakwood smuggler, efforts are on to arrest the four, said officials.

06 November
Day he was attacked by smugglers