Bhopal: PHQ Issues Guidelines On FIRs Against Forest Personnel For Firearm Use; DM’s Recommendation Mandatory

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Police headquarters has issued directions to all its district units about the use of firearms by the forest personnel. It said that an FIR would be registered after district magistrate’s recommendations.

For long-time use of firearms used by forest employees and officials to protect forest and subsequent police action had raised questions from time to time. According to ADG Pankaj Shrivastava, forest personnel use firearms according to need.

But in many cases, the local police take action against them whenever someone approaches police and files the complaint. He added that PCCF and forest force chief had sent a letter to PHQ in October last year, seeking clarity on the issue. Now, instructions have been given to all the district superintendents of police, railways, commissioners of police of Bhopal and Indore about filing FIR in use of firearms.

They have been told that unless an official designated by district magistrate completes investigation of firing case and finds that the case should be registered against forest personnel, the police will not take cognisance into the matter. The officials will find whether use of firearms was used in improper way or was it needed or was used to mount unnecessary pressure, the police then can take cognisance. The police have also to follow the guideline given by home department into the matter.