Politicos behind ranger's murder?

NIZAMABAD: Though police have registered cases against 30 people in connection with the attack on forest staff, it is learnt that only one person had killed forest range officer R Gangaiah. The murder was pre-planned and the target was the forest range officer as he was killed only after thorough identification in the Nallavelli forest area on September 14.
The accused, who attacked Gangaiah, left the place only after making sure that he was dead, forest department sources said. It was earlier reported that tribals had attacked the range officer. However, police investigation revealed that local politicians were behind the murder.
Local CPM leader Vodde Bhaskar confirmed the identity of Gangaiah by focusing torchlight on his face. He allegedly attacked Gangaiah with an axe twice resulting in the death of the forest ranger. He confirmed the death of Gangaiah by feeling his breath. Police source said Bhaskar had confessed to the crime during interrogation.
The mob threw chilli power at the forest team, which went to the village after learning that forest land was being cultivated.
Though four persons hatched the plan to attack forest staff, only Bhaskar had targeted the forest ranger.
A senior police officer said on condition of anonymity that Bhaskar had developed grudge against Gangaiah as the latter had registered three cases against him for grabbing forest land. Bhaskar was also targeted by Gangaiah when the latter was deputy forest ranger at Banswada, he said.
Moreover, the name of the CPM leader was also mentioned in eight cases including five cases registered by the forest department and three by police department since 2011. Interestingly, in no case has Bhaskar been tried, a forest officer said.