KOLHAPUR: The Koynanagar police have arrested 12 persons in two separate incidents for allegedly attacking forest officials and policemen near Ozarde waterfall and Koyna dam on the eve of Independence Day. All suspects are from villages near Karad and Satara.In one incident reported near Ozarde waterfall, two forest guards were on duty to allow tourists to climb up to the waterfall. On August 15, they stopped a group of four youths from Vaduth village in Satara taluka stating that the area is already crowded and they can enter waterfall area after some tourists leave the place.However, the youths claimed that their friends had already reached the spot and they wanted to join them. After the forest guards obstructed them, they allegedly manhandled the guards, beat them and entered the waterfall area. The guards later lodged a complaint with Koynanagar police station."We have registered a case against these four youths under several sections of the Indian Penal Code related to obstructing government employees from doing their duty, creating ruckus under influence of liquor and manhandling officials. Till now, we have arrested three of them and searching whereabouts of the fourth person, who is absconding," said an officer attached with Koynanagar police station.The other incident was reported near the entrance gate of Koyna dam. A group of nine youths, all residents of Karad taluka, approached a police chowki at the gate of the dam. They told the police constable on duty at the spot that they wanted to enter the dam area to see the dam."The constable on duty told them that the area is restricted for tourists and even police officials cannot enter dam area without prior permission. He asked them to get a letter from officials concerned to allow them entry. Enraged over his statement, they beat him up and fled from the spot," said an officer of the Koynanagar police station.The constable later lodged a complaint with the police and all nine suspects involved in the attack were arrested.

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