Mysuru: A gang of sandalwood smugglers, have assaulted a security guard at All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) and have decamped with sandalwood log from the premises here on Tuesday night.

The security guard identified as Siddaraju Kudachi was manning the front gate of AIISH, when a gang of about five persons assaulted him all of a sudden, entered the premises and began to chop sandalwood trees.

Siddaraju then screamed resulting in his colleagues rushing for his help. But the gang had already chopped off a sandalwood tree when other security guards reached the spot.

The gang members then assaulted other security guards and snatched away the keys of the guest house, mobile phones and torch besides cutting the telephone lines.

The gang later decamped with a sandalwood log from the premises. Security supervisor Mallikarjun who rushed to the spot has lodged a complaint with Jayalakshmipuram Police.

Jayalakshmipuram Police, who have registered a case, has asked the Forest Department to inspect the spot and give them a report.

The Police have launched a hunt to nab the miscreants.