Telangana: 14 hurt in clash between forest officials, farmers

At least 10 personnel of Forest department and four farmers were injured today after a clash broke out between them over fixing boundaries in Khammam district of Telangana, police said. The incident occurred at Marrigudem village in Chandrugonda division of the district this afternoon when the personnel began fixing boundaries of the forest land by digging trenches near the village which led to the argument with the locals, they said. In the ensuing clash, villagers and forest personnel hit each other with sticks resulting in injuries to at least 10 personnel and to four farmers, a police officer said. "Police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. We are in the process of taking statements from the villagers and also forest personnel. Trouble broke out after forest personnel were laying trenches but the villagers, including farmers, engaged in cultivation of 'Podu lands' opposed the same," said Julurpad police station circle inspector Mallaiah Swamy.