There have been ongoing protests by forest department employees in Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur ever since DFO Anupam Sharma was issued transfer orders last month.
Workers were seen carrying placards and holding marches in forest paths leading up to the administration office as they raised slogans “Forest Officer Kaisa Ho, Anupam Sharma Jaisa Ho”.
The employees have warned of an indefinite strike if the former DFO is not reinstalled in Burhanpur.
Submitting a memorandum on Thursday, the workers demanded the cancellation of his transfer order within 15 days.
DFO Anupam Sharma took charge on February 21, 2023, but was transferred before the completion of two months. In just those months, major action was initiated to remove mass encroachment of Nepanagar forest from timber smugglers who had made a citadel of sorts after deforesting 6,000 hectares. The DFO with his team was leading the exercise that reached its culmination after he was removed creating dissatisfaction among the employees, an official said.
The forest staff reached the collector’s office on Thursday afternoon and submitted a protest memorandum. The action of removing encroachment in the forest, helping the employees, and patrolling together had boosted the morale of the employees and now they are openly engaged in reinstating Mr. Sharma.
