Deolapur fishermen injured as Forest Department officials open fire

At least 15 fishermen, who were allegedly fishing illegally in a reservoir, received minor injuries as a team of Forest Department officials fired on them, Nagpur rural police said today.

The incident took place at Totladoh Irrigation Project, at Deolapar on Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh border this morning.

Fishing is prohibited at the site. Police said that fishermen allegedly refused to stop the activity when the patrolling unit of Forest Department ordered them to do so.

The unit members then fired from non-lethal guns. The fishermen received pellet injuries and were taken to Mayor General Hospital.

Fishing in prohibited water-bodies has been a contentious issue between the fishermen and the Forest Department in the area.