Common-Sense Much? Told Not To Smoke In Jungle, Woman Bites Off Staff’s Ear

In a shocking incident, a woman bit off the ear of a forest employee because he stopped her from smoking in the forest. The incident happened on Saturday afternoon in UP's Kukrail jungle and the employee was left bleeding by the woman who fled the spot with her friend on the scooter. The Gudamba police station registered a case a day after the incident. 

As per the reports, 22-year-old Vikas, a contractual employee, got information that there was a fire in phase 2 of the Kukrail forest. He immediately rushed to the spot and found a couple smoking on their parked scooter. 

The employees' statement

Vikas forbade them from smoking but the couple began arguing with him. While talking to the police, Vikas said, “I forbade them from smoking at which they started arguing with me. The argument turned violent, and the duo even attacked me. Later, the girl bit my ear and cut it off. I started screaming for help as there was no one around. When they heard me screaming for help, they fled from the scene on their two-wheeler.” 

Nitish Kumar Srivastava, SHO, Gudamb said that enraged by the argument, the woman bit off the right ear of the employee. Police are on the hunt for the couple. An FIR has been registered against the couple based on the vehicle number, under IPC 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapon), the SHO added.

Why is it very difficult for people in our country to obey rules? 

Peeing or spitting on a wall that clearly forbade it, triple loaded bikes or bikers without helmets, trash thrown outside the dustbins, open defecation, writing on the walls of heritage sites and littering the hill stations are common sights in India. Indians do not value the rules and regulations imposed to keep the environment clean. Do you remember the time when a group of tourists were spotted rashly driving an Audi through the crystal clear lake of Ladakh- the Pangong Lake? Not only this, but the two men also installed a foldable table and chair laden with food and alcohol on the lake. When Indians cannot preserve the beauty of one of the most serene sights of India, can we even expect them to protect the corridors around them? 

Smoking in the forest is a sign of immense irresponsibility towards the safety of the ecosystem. Did the couple realise how drastic it could have been if the fire  spread? In the age of deforestation, climate crisis and global warming, it is our responsibility to protect nature. To be able to survive for a longer time, it is important to preserve nature. 

We need to understand that we do not live in this world alone. We are a part of a community that has to breathe along with you. You cannot stretch your legs without worrying about the discomfort of the people sitting in front of you or next to you. You can be yourself in a closed room. But when you step out, you have to recognise your role in maintaining the existence of the community. 

Rules might be made to be broken. But what about your common sense? Can you not identify between what is imposed and what is necessary? 

Views expressed are the author' own.