Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)
Udupi, Apr 30: Forest officer Muniraju, who is known to be a very sincere officer, has been transferred from Hebri taluk allegedly under political pressure. The state government issued the transfer order on April 27 to Muniraju who is well-known for honesty and love for environment. His transfer has raised doubts on it being the work of political partying lobbying.
Muniraju is one among the list of 39 officers that are being transferred. In the meantime, he has been posted to Bandipur forest zone.
Only six months have passed since he was assigned the post of Hebri forest officer. Usually, officers are allowed to work at a place for two years. However, there is opposition concerning his hasty transfer amid lockdown.
Muniraju was praised in the village for creating fear among timber thieves in Someshwar, Seetanadi, Belanje, Kabinale and Chara. The forest officer had reportedly seized the vehicles of the accused at Hebri Ranger office and taken legal action.
Ironically, he is now being targeted by politicians for being honest during his service of 18 years in the forest department, it is said.
Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat had openly taken Muniraju to task in the meeting held on February 24 in Udupi Taluk panchayat for taking an action against BJP activist who was accused of wood thefts. Muniraju is also known to have drawn the ire of Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar.
An intense verbal battle ensued between MLA Raghupati Bhat and Muniraju during the general meeting that was held at taluk panchayat premises on February 24. The meeting was concerning the felling of trees to widen Kunjalu road at Brahmavar in the district.
MLA Raghupati Bhat had accused Muniraju of disrespecting him in the meeting. In his reply, Muniraju said, "I have not shown any disrespect to you. I am an officer of the government department. Speak to me with respect."
Enraged by the bold answer given by forest officer, MLA Raghupati Bhat got infuriated and took objection for Muniraju sitting with the people representatives and asked him to sit with the officials.
After the forest officer was seated with the officials, the argument between the MLA and officer continued. In the end, a unanimous decision taken by all the members of taluk panchayat ruled against the forest officer, where they agreed that Muniraju had indeed disrespected Bhat.
Muniraju had identified crores worth wooden logs illegally being stored in the premises of BJP taluk panchayat member Amrith Shetty and had registered a case. It is said that BJP supporters demanded Muniraju's transfer on that very day. However, environmentalists of the district, on the other hand, reportedly wanted the officer to be retained.
Now, people are of that opinion that the officer is being transferred based on the strength of the party. Muniraju has been asked to proceed to Bandipur zone once the lockdown is lifted.