MP Mandates Magisterial Probe Before Police Action Against Forest Staff

The state government of Madhya Pradesh in India made a new rule to help people who work in forests.

These workers include forest guards and forest rangers.

Sometimes they must use guns to protect wild animals from hunters.

After they use their guns, they were sometimes arrested by police.

The new rule says a special judge-like officer called a magistrate must check what happened first.

If the magistrate decides the gun was used for a good reason, the police cannot file a case.

Police can act only if the magistrate says the gun was used too much or without a good reason, and the government agrees.

The government made this rule because forest workers face unfair legal trouble for doing their jobs.

It was also made following directions from the Supreme Court.

A former forest officer, Nirmal Tiwari, said the new rule is a welcome step for forest workers.