Forest rangers beaten up

SEMARANG, Central Java: The authorities are tracking down about 40 people suspected of being involved in a recent wood theft and the beating up of eight forest rangers in Grobogan.

Police said the alleged thieves also seized a gun from the rangers, Antara reported.

The rangers caught them stealing wood when the people turned against them. Cornered, the thieves attacked them. The rangers fled when they realized they were outnumbered.

Dozens of police officers and troops rushed to the scene only to find ranger Pabran in a pool of blood and his attackers gone. Pabran is in critical condition at the Grobogan Hospital, the report said. (pan)