Memorial of slain IFS officer P Srinivas restored at Gopinatham

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4 years ago mysoorunews

Chamarajanagar: It was a red letter day in the history of State Forest department on Friday, which also coincides with Forest Martyr’s Day.

A memorial built for P Srinivas, the late DCF of Chamarajanagar district was restored and inaugurated at Araku valley, Gopinatham bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states.

A lifesize painting of the decorated officer erected near the memorial, brought into mind the days when Srinivas brought enormous changes in the surrounding villages.

CCF Manoj Kumar inaugurating slain IFS officer P Srinivas’ restored memorial on account of Forest Martyr’s Day at Gopinatham in Chamarajanagar district.

While for the people of yesteryears, the courageous story of Srinivas is deeply etched in their memory, the younger generation is not aware of it.

The story of Srinivas a Kirti Chakra awardee (posthumous) though began with the rise of forest brigand Veerappan, the decorated officer fell to the treacherous minded Veerappan, much before the latter was killed in a STF operation later.

Forest personnel lay wreath at P Srinivas Memorial at Gopinatham in Chamarajanagar district.

Srinivas was the DCF of Chamarajanagar district ( M M Hills forest in the district was the den of Veerappan) and was into several social initiatives, with the sole aim of tracing the brigand.

Earlier, Srinivas had arrested Veerappan in 1986, who though later escaped from the custody.

But the fate had willed otherwise and Srinivas was brutally murdered in the hands of Veerappan in November 1991.

On November 9, 1991, Srinivas had received a wireless message at MM Hills informing that “Veerappan was ready to surrender if Srinivas met him unaccompanied and unarmed”.

Following day, November 10, 37-year-old Srinivas was crossing a creek six km from Gopinatham village, when Veerappan beheaded him.

Chief Conservator of Forest Manoj Kumar dedicated the restored memorial and recalled the sacrifice made by Srinivas that still remains an inspiration to the department.

DCF ( M M Hills Wildlife) Yedukondalu and DCF Ramesh (Cauvery wildlife sanctuary), ACF Ankaraj, RFOs field staff and watchers were present. present.

– Team Mysoorunews