A Kilinochchi forest clearing raid turned violent after a group attacked Wildlife and STF officers, leaving four personnel hospitalized.
Four STF officers were hospitalized after the Kilinochchi forest clearing raid turned violent when a group allegedly attacked police and Wildlife Department personnel.
The officers were trying to stop the illegal clearing of a reserved forest in the Mukkannanpam area of Akkarayankulam, Kilinochchi.
Wildlife officials and Police Special Task Force personnel launched the joint operation after receiving information about the suspected clearing.
During the raid, a group of local residents allegedly obstructed the officers and attacked them. As tensions escalated, STF personnel reportedly fired warning shots into the air to bring the situation under control.
Authorities admitted the four injured STF officers to Kilinochchi Hospital for treatment.
Police arrested nine suspects over the incident. One suspect later developed a sudden illness and remains hospitalized under police guard.
Officers also seized a machine that the suspects had allegedly used to clear the protected land.
Police said they had restored order in the area following the confrontation. Akkarayankulam Police are now investigating the attack, the suspected forest clearing and the involvement of those arrested.
The Kilinochchi forest clearing case highlighted the risks officers face while protecting reserved land.
