A brawl broke out between forest department officer and IAS, IFS officials over a trivial matter in Gir during the Diwali holidays.

The controversy began when senior officers J Rajnith Kumar, Additional CEO of GSDMA (Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority), and CFT Karuppasamy, the Chief Forest Officer of Gandhinagar, visited Sasan, a popular tourist spot in Gir, during Diwali. They stayed at the Sasan Lion Safari and later went on a jungle safari.

During the trip, when the officials’ child needed to relieve himself, they approached a nearby food stall where a female forest employee, Nirupama Beniwal, opposed to it, which led to a heated argument. 

The situation worsened when Hitesh Rathod, a forest guard, intervened. The forest officials physically attacked the senior officers, unaware of the identity of the individuals they were engaging with. The incident turned into a full-fledged brawl, with the officers being struck before they were able to identify themselves. 

When the forest officials realised they were attacking senior government officers, they quickly backed down. The officers then informed their superiors in Sasan, and the matter was swiftly addressed. The forest officials involved in the brawl apologised, claiming that they were unaware of the officers’ identities and acknowledged the misunderstanding.

CFT Karuppasamy clarified that the conflict had been caused by a misunderstanding, and that the matter had been resolved. Similarly, Hitesh Rathod also confirmed that the brawl was a result of a mistake and that the situation had now been resolved.

However, union leaders representing the forest employees have raised concerns, warning that if any actions, such as transfers or disciplinary measures, are taken against the forest officials involved, they will resist any such moves. 

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