The Kerala Forest Protective Staff Association (KFPSA) has expressed concern about the safety of forest guards in the light of reported Maoist attacks on forest outposts in Wayanad and sought protection for the officials
Association president K. Jayakumar told a news conference here on Tuesday that the government should provide forest guards with weapons for self-defence. They also wanted efforts to create awareness among tribespeople about Maoists, distribution of habitable land to the Adivasis outside dense forest areas, and the formation of a reserve forest force in all districts.
He pointed out that 12 guards had died after the formation of the State for want of weapons to defend themselves. About 2,500 forest guards worked in the dense forest areas.
