Guwahati: A woman in Lanka of Hojai, Assam was severely injured after being shot at by forest guards when she went into the forest area to gather firewood.
The woman was identified as Khudeja Khatun.
She along with seven others went to a forest in Lumding to collect firewood.
However, during their venture to the forest, they were shot at by the forest guards on patrol who may have suspected them of being poachers.
The women in the Deben Gaon area often gather firewood from the forest and it is a common practice in the region.
However, they claimed that on Tuesday, the forest officials from the Nakhuti Forest Office allegedly opened fire on the women without warning.
Locals said that Khudeja was hit three times, with bullets striking her head and back.
Her family rushed her to Lanka Primary Health Center, and due to the severity of her injuries, she was later transferred to Hojai Civil Hospital for further treatment.
An investigation into the incident has been initiated.
Her family said that they were soon going to approach the court regarding the incident.