Palampur encroachers get HCrelief

Our Correspondent

Palampur, February 17

The High Court today stayed the order for the removal of 12 houses constructed on the forest land at Khalet village here.

Earlier in its order on December 19, 2017, the court had directed the Divisional Forest Officer, Palampur, for the removal of encroachments from the forest land in Mohal Rodi of Khalet village.

The Forest Department had launched a massive campaign to implement the orders and dismantled over 10 houses on Thursday.

The occupants of these houses protested against the move and tried to stop the evictions. However, the department continued with the encroachment drive.

The occupants approached the court yesterday and pleaded for a stay on the encroachment drive launched by the Forest Department.

They urged the court that since the encroachments were on a land less than five bighas, they should be allowed to occupy the forest land. After hearing the plea of the affected people, the court directed the department to stop its drive immediately and fixed the next hearing of the case for February 27.

The Divisional Forest Officer, Palampur, said the Forest Department was bound to implement the orders of the high court.