Shah Basit
Tensions erupted in Mamer Kangan as locals accused forest officials of assaulting women during a plantation drive, while the Forest Department filed an FIR against seven residents, alleging they attacked officials.
The clash, which took place in compartment 69 of the Sindh Range, has sparked outrage after videos of the incident went viral on social media.
According to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sindh Forest Division, the afforestation drive was part of a compensatory project under the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), sanctioned in 2022 to offset forest land diverted for the Thune to Badipathri road.
The plantation work began earlier this month but was reportedly disrupted when the accused allegedly incited villagers to attack forest personnel with stones and sticks.
Police have booked them under sections 115(2) and 132 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, which deal with provocation to cause harm and assault on government employees.
However, locals have accused the forest officials of using excessive force.
Viral videos show officials allegedly assaulting at least two women, while another clip captures women beating the officials. Residents claim the officials not only roughed up women but also used vulgar language.
“What is ironic is that our men have been jailed, even though there were no men in the village at the time of the incident,” a resident said.
Tribal activist Zahid Parwaz Choudhary condemned the incident, calling it yet another example of discrimination against the Gujjar-Bakerwal community.
“Our people are not just being humiliated; they are being jailed for resisting. Even if the officials were attacked, does that justify them assaulting women?” he asked, urging the Chief Minister and Kangan’s MLA to take immediate action.