Women employees of Forest Dept living in fear of harassment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Forest Department is facing serious allegations of suppressing complaints of sexual harassment and other grievances raised by women employees without registering cases or ensuring proper punishment. Reports suggest that around 20 complaints were buried over the last five years. Women staff allege that complaints are silenced using threats, including denial of promotions.

The issue came into focus after reports emerged that a woman employee was harassed at midnight at the Forest Station in Sugandhagiri, Wayanad. This has revived questions about why earlier complaints were ignored by the department.

Although the Forest Department has internal committees to investigate sexual harassment cases, employees say no action is usually taken. There is also no permanent complaints authority, like in the police, to handle workplace harassment cases. Although women are employed in posts starting from Beat Forest Officer, there are no special service rules regarding their safety during duty. Officials maintain that women, like men, are expected to work day and night in forests and stations. Women employees argue that this exposes them to safety risks and misuse by others, and demand a permanent authority to look into harassment cases.

Cases suppressed before reaching police
According to the rules, sexual harassment complaints in government offices and institutions should be investigated by internal committees and followed up with police cases if required. However, in the Forest Department, cases are often closed before reaching the police. Staff unions and senior officials allegedly exert pressure and issue threats to ensure complaints do not progress.

Officials claim many complaints are false
Forest Department officials claim that many of these complaints are fabricated. They point out that women accept service conditions like night duty at the time of appointment, but later raise objections and lodge harassment complaints. In cases of sexual harassment, officials said, the internal committee conducts an inquiry and strict action is taken. Complainants also have the option of approaching the courts, the Women’s Commission, or other authorities.

Forest officer suspended

A forest officer has been suspended for allegedly trying to harass a woman staff member at the Sugandhagiri section office in Wayanad. The suspension order was issued by Kannur Northern Circle Chief Conservator of Forests B.N. Anjan Kumar, following a departmental inquiry after the police registered a case. The officer suspended is Section Forest Officer K.K. Ratheesh Kumar.

The incident happened earlier this month at the Sugandhagiri section headquarters at Thariyode 8th Mile, where he allegedly attempted to harass a Beat Forest Officer. Meanwhile, an audio clip of Ratheesh pressuring the woman to withdraw her complaint has surfaced. In the conversation, he is also heard apologising in person and saying he is ready to do anything if the case does not proceed.