A woman forest officer escaped unhurt after suspected members of sand mafia allegedly tried to attack her and set ablaze her jeep during a surprise check to prevent illegal mining and transportation of sand in Tirumalakunta reserve forest area in Aswaraopeta mandal on Monday night.
The incident occurred when Venkatalakshmi, the in-charge Forest Range Officer (FRO), Dammapeta, along with the government jeep driver rushed to Bandarugumpu, a remote village on the fringes of forest, around 8.30 pm to intercept a tractor suspected to be involved in illegal sand transportation.
A group of persons believed to be members of sand mafia allegedly made a vain bid to attack them and tried to set their jeep on fire, sources added.
